Traditional school is not the answer for every child. Though the majority of children adjust to the pedagogy, many do not benefit from the teaching methodologies, the school environment, or the stress that comes with competing with other children. Even though it is advised to put children in the class best suited to their learning pace, most parents push their children to conform to the standards of the cut-off age, willing to push them harder to meet the standards of their peer group.
Academic excellence depends on one’s intelligence and the ability of those around them to help the achieve their potential. Every child has his or her unique brand of intelligence or other qualities that can help them live the life that makes them happy. Every child does not want to become an astronaut to fly to the moon, some want to be artists. Many children find Mathematics boring, while some are invigorated when they are posed with a challenging problem and are commended for doing a good job. The purpose of early education is to give children basic skills and knowledge to help them function as productive individuals and be positive contributing members of society.
Open School Alternative
Open school can be a solution for students who have physical disabilities or are mentally slower than the children of their age group. It is also a solution for children who are unhappy with the regular school curriculum. The National Institute of Open School (NIOS) has created a conducive structure under which students can thrive. In the era where Alexa and Siri can be asked a question and an individual can get an instant answer from numerous sources and ChatGPT can be used to ace tough entrance exams, schools are no longer the primary source of information for students.
In open schools, if a student is not able to cope with some subject, they have the alternative to drop it. For instance, not everyone’s a linguist, so if a student from Punjab is unable to learn Marathi at his/her school in Nashik, rather than struggle and be frustrated, they can attend an open school and choose to take another language besides Marathi.
No judgment on open schooling
There is greater awareness about mental health and specific struggles that children face at this age which makes parents more empathetic towards a child’s struggle to adapt to conventional schooling. The number of professional opportunities that are accessible to youngsters, whether they want to work from home, or anywhere in the world assures parents that their child’s future is secure. Schools offering the NIOS curriculum give extensive counselling and support to parents and children through their network. They can help parents and students with finding the best alternatives for college education.
Open School is recognised
NIOS certificate is recognised by colleges across India and after giving their compulsory board exams the student can apply for college. So, if a student is keen to pursue a specific career and wants to dedicate more time toward their vocation, qualifying entrance exam, sports, or skills, then they can do so. In a world where the internet is facilitating students with alternatives to study with the top international schools, NIOS is giving accessible quality education for students who want to earn their High School certificate with a reputable board.
There are many ways in which parents can help and support their children’s aspirations and make education and schooling easy for them. NIOS Open school can be done by students independently, by attending special schools, or online. They can self-pace the programme and give exams when they are ready.