{"id":7971,"date":"2014-08-06T23:09:37","date_gmt":"2014-08-06T21:09:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/responsive.jozikids.co.za\/zaparents\/?p=7971"},"modified":"2022-08-13T13:24:49","modified_gmt":"2022-08-13T11:24:49","slug":"change-schools-child-not-coping","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jozikids.co.za\/blog\/education\/schools-mainstream\/change-schools-child-not-coping\/","title":{"rendered":"It’s never too late to change schools"},"content":{"rendered":"

I often receive\u00a0 queries from parents asking \u201cIsn\u2019t it too late to change my child\u2019s school?\u201d It may be the end of the first term, mid year or in the last few weeks of the school year. My answer is always\u00a0 \u2013 no, it\u2019s not too late if your child is unhappy.<\/p>\n

Why are kids unhappy at school?\u00a0 Maybe they don\u2019t find the work challenging,\u00a0 they have a personality conflict with teachers or they don\u2019t fit in with their peer group. In many cases the school and the student just aren\u2019t a good fit.\u00a0 And some kids just hate school. They hate the autocratic style of classroom dynamics and they battle with kids their own age. A huge percentage of school time is spent changing classrooms, queuing at the tuck shop, waiting for teachers and\u00a0 for the class to \u201csettle down\u201d. 30% of the day wasted.<\/p>\n

If your child wants to change schools,\u00a0 is forcing them to stay building character and teaching them to fit in?\u00a0 Most likely they will learn to avoid certain situations, people and places. They will learn to tune out,\u00a0 drag their feet and be late for every class. As a parent and educator I want my kids to love learning. I want them to finish at their own pace and work on the subjects they love.<\/p>\n

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Pros and cons of all school systems:<\/h2>\n

Mainstream schools<\/a>:<\/h3>\n

For some children this works. Government and independent schools offer relatively good academics and plenty of social interaction. The Matric is well recognised by local universities and employers. There is also usually a wide variety of physical activity and excellent sporting opportunities. The downside is big classes can be intimidating, the subject choices are limited and teachers are often overwhelmed.<\/p>\n

International Schools:<\/h3>\n

Here you get a great variety of languages and subjects sometimes not offered at regular SA schools. There is also more exposure to accents, ethnicities and cultures plus greater access to opportunities to study abroad. The downside is that SA universities can sometimes be a stickler with the more varied subject choices and qualifications. Your child may also develop an accent unlike your own which may or may not bother you.<\/p>\n

Study centres:<\/a><\/h3>\n

Whether for an SA Matric or a foreign qualification such as Cambridge, study centres offer wonderful opportunities for kids who don\u2019t like the size or style of mainstream schools. There is no focus on sports as the kids can do these at club level if they choose. There is a greater educator to student ratio and bullying is virtually non-existent due to small groups and supervision. This is also an option for professional child athletes. The downside is if a child wishes to be in a larger social environment (more friends to choose from) or if they are unable to study relatively independently<\/p>\n

Home schooling:<\/a><\/h3>\n

This can be a wonderful experience for both parent and child as the time together is not limited by time factors or travelling distances. Parents can choose a local or international academic syllabus or can go syllabus free. This gives the child the opportunity to explore his or her own interests. It also provides a safe and secure environment for children that may have emotional issues or have experienced years of bullying. The downside: limited social exposure is definitely a factor regardless of how many social activities are scheduled. This is also a huge burden on the parent and such dedicated time makes it almost impossible to maintain a career. Universities also usually require some academic record for entrance.<\/p>\n

So when should a child leave the current school?<\/h2>\n

You, as a parent, will know when. When he feels he doesn\u2019t fit in, when she refuses to go to school every morning and life becomes a battle. When he comes home grumpy because the boys tormented him. When she is angry because her \u201cfriends\u201d picked on her all day. When he says the teachers are stupid. When they don\u2019t understand her.<\/p>\n

One parent asked\u00a0 me whether it was too late to move her grade 9 student?\u00a0 She said her daughter was crying herself to sleep every night. She joined a study centre, caught up the whole year\u2019s syllabus and is motivated and happy.<\/p>\n

Whatever system works for your child is fine. Whether it\u2019s mainstream or home school. Your child will make friends\u00a0 he\/she will have for life. Also don’t forget the role you play as a parent in those hours after school.<\/p>\n

So what\u2019s the problem? There is no problem, only change.<\/p>\n

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