Most parents agree that their children deserve the best education. That is why the enrolment levels keep shooting through the roof every year. In spite of that collectively desired dream, parents disagree on whether to take their children to a boarding or day school.  And both sides indeed have very compelling reasons for their decisions. According to education experts, however, a number of things must be put into consideration before making the final decision.

What experts think

Jean Pier Habimana, the district education officer for Kigali, urges parents to first weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each option (boarding and day) when looking for a school for their children.

He says age of the child and the distance from home to school must be considered before any conclusion is made.

"Primary school children should be enrolled in day schools in their neighbourhood so that they can interact and bond with their parents on a daily basis after school,” Habimana explains.

He, however, says if a child is joining secondary, it is okay to join a boarding school.

"Students at that level are slightly older and therefore better placed to start trying out how to live on their own. Therefore, putting them in boarding schools situated away from home improves their confidence,” Habimana adds.

But for some, it doesn’t matter whether the school is day or boarding for as long as the quality is assured.

Augustine Gatera, the director of languages and humanities in the curriculum and pedagogical department at Rwanda Education Board (REB), says:

"In education, the foundation is very important and even within the nursery section of a good day school; students can interact, socialize and share important experiences with each other just like they would in a boarding school.”

Gatera expresses reservations about rushing children to boarding schools. He insists that even at O’ level, students still need some guidance and assistance from the parents on a daily basis.

"If it were not for the current busy schedules of parents that keep them away for the most part of the day, I would have preferred that they take their children to a boarding school at A’ level.

But Joyce Kirabo, a counselor, advises parents to always consider the child’s health before rushing them to a boarding school.

"Some children have health conditions such as epilepsy, asthma and other serious infections which, if put in a boarding school, puts their life at a risk,” Kirabo advises.

Teachers advise

Alex Kansiime, a teacher of Economics and Business Studies at Wellsprings Academy, blames the increasing enrollment of very young children in boarding schools to parents who think training and mentoring a child is the role of teachers.

"The upbringing of a child should be a holistic manner that involves teachers, parents and the community. Unfortunately most parents now think that taking the child to school is enough,” Kansiime says.

Similarly, Jennifer Kato, an English teacher at Umubano Primary, also stresses the need for parents to spare time for their children despite their busy schedules.

"If parents interact with their children regularly, there is a high chance that they will perform better than those who are dumped in boarding schools and left at the mercy of teachers,” Kato explains.

Research published in the Journal of Analytical Psychology in 2014 considers sending young children to boarding schools as a form of child abuse and social control.

The study points out that the trauma of the rupture with home may be followed by other ordeals such as emotional deprivation and, in extreme cases, physical and sexual abuse. The research adds that in situations where it is hard to express emotions, it may lead to low confidence.

Students speak out

Unlike a number of teachers and parents who warn against taking children to boarding school early, Fabrice Ishimwe, a student at College du Christ Roi in Nyanza, thinks otherwise.

"There is less destruction from parents, siblings, visitors and television in a boarding school which enables me to concentrate on my studies,” Ishimwe says, adding that it has taught him to divide his time appropriately between books, friends and games.

Similarly Moses Habimana, a student at Amir des effants in Kinyinya, expresses his love for boarding school.

"When you are a day student, you cannot revise for 30 minutes before someone calls you to go to the shop or help with a house chore. In fact most times one will sleep late but wake up very early in order not to be penalised at school for late-coming,” Habimana explains.

However Claudine Uwamurera, a student at GS Kimironko, disagrees with those against day school, saying life is not only about books.

"A student also needs to watch television and play. Yuu cannot just be reading every second,” she argues.

Parents’ take

Jehoshaphat Twahirwa, a parent of three in Kigali, says much as he would prefer to take all his children to boarding schools, he cannot afford to raise the money at once.

"Once your child is at school and you have provided everything (school fees and requirements), you are not under any pressure for three months which means you can focus on investment. For a day scholar, however, you have to spend daily on food and transport which can be so demanding,” Twahirwa explains.

Emelyn Uwacu, another parent, says when children join boarding school, they tend to become homesick and in some cases get spoilt.

"The cost of dumping children in boarding schools is too high since it denies parents a chance to monitor them especially during adolescence,” Uwacu says.

"Adolescents who interact frequently with their parents cope better with life challenges than those in boarding. It would be rare for them to pick any weird behaviors from school,” she adds.

Parents share their views

Elizabeth Madagamire

Students who attend boarding school tend to adapt faster to different life situations because of the survival skills they acquire from school. I would choose a boarding school for my child without hesitation any day.

J B Ntawuyirushintege

A boarding school trains a student to manage time. Unlike day students who are helped by their parents to manage their programmes, boarding students must plan for class, social activities and personal hygiene on their own. As a result, the learner finds a way of allocating time to each activity.

Jeanette Uwamahoro

I prefer a day school because it allows a child to be close to their family. This closeness assures the child of constant guidance and counselling by parents. A child in boarding though is likely to misbehave since they are on their own.

Joseph Kabakurya

I love boarding because a student stands a higher chance of excelling in class. This is because the student receives help from both his classmates and teachers unlike a day student who has fewer people to consult when stuck.

Bernard Karuhanga

I prefer a day to a boarding school because it enables you to monitor your child’s growth — morally and academically. The other reason is because it saves your child from the poor meals served in many boarding schools. These two advantages are key in shaping the future of a  child.

Zebron Rukundo

Boarding school trains a student to be self-reliant and disciplined. For instance you learn how to wash your clothes and utilise the small resources well because you have no maid or parent to do it for you. Day students are usually pampered by their parents which makes it hard for them to survive in tough conditions.