With the O level results coming out this Monday, the 9th of
January, some students might wish to retake their O level exams as
private candidates. As such, this guide would help in making the
decision when it comes to selecting a private
school.
Ask the following questions when researching a
school:
1. RESULTS OBTAINED BY STUDENTS OF YOUR SCHOOL?
This is probably one of the most important questions to
ask. Ask
for copies of the O level certificates of
their ex-students. Also ensure that that particular student
actually studied at that school. This will let you determine if
they have a good track record.
2. QUALIFICATION OF YOUR TEACHERS?
All schools will have a copy of their teachers’ qualifications in
order to register them with the CPE.Ask
to see a copy of the qualifications so
that you can have a better idea of how qualified the teachers are.
For example, if a teacher has a degree in Economics and is teaching
Chemistry at the school, then there is a mismatch of teacher and
subject.
3. MANAGEMENT WITH QUESTIONABLE BACKGOUNDS?
Ask to see the qualifications of the
management.
If the owner and management are well qualified academically, there
is a better chance that the school will be run in a manner where
the students’ results will be the main focus.
4. MATERIAL FOR THE COURSE?
O level papers start in October, which leaves private schools with
about 9 months to complete the entire O level syllabus. (Assuming
classes begin on the 2nd of January and there are no school breaks
during the duration of the course.) Thus
all the notes and exercises should have already been prepared by
the school for distribution.
This will also give you the opportunity to find out if the private
school is simply photocopying notes and exercises out of some guide
books or assessment books or if
they have their own proprietary material (notes and exercises)
prepared for their students.
5. MAXIMUM NUMBER OF STUDENTS PER CLASS?
With smaller class sizes (about 20 students), the students can be
assured of more individual attention from the teachers as opposed
to larger class sizes (30 to 40 students).
6. MULTIMEDIA USED DURING THE CLASSES?
Education ministries around the world, including our MOE, encourage
the use of multimedia in classrooms. Use of multimedia enables
better understanding, retention and retrieval, according to
researchers. Use of videos, animation, colours,
sound and so on enables students to remember better. So it would be
beneficial if the classes were conducted using
multimedia. Ask
to see samples of their PowerPoint presentations (which any school
prepared for the year should have) too see what sort of standards
they have set.
Are samples even available? If they are, are they simple, static
presentations, or do they have animation included? These are points
to look out for.
7. TEACHER MONITORING & FEEDBACK SYSTEM IN
PLACE?
In order to ensure that students do well, the teachers at a school
have to be monitored in order to ensure that they are doing their
jobs well. Find
out what systems are in place at the school to evaluate the
teachers’ performances.
8. FEEDBACK?
In any school, there will need for things to be done in a better
manner. In such a situation, how
easy is it to get your feedback to the level of management where a
decision can be made?In
certain schools, there are so many
levels to go through that the feedback gets lost along the way. The
best option to look out for would be a
school where you can communicate directly and conveniently with the
highest level of management. Check if the highest level of
management is present at the school on a regular basis to oversee
the daily operations.
That way, you know that your feedback is reaching the right people.
At the same time, you can feel assured that the management is
keenly involved.
9. TESTIMONIALS?
Any established private school should have a number of students who
would have been happy enough with the services of the school to
write a simple thank-you note or a testimonial for the
school. Ask
for copies of the testimonials for
you to get an understanding of what students feel about the school.
Better still if you can meet any of the ex-students and ask them
about their opinions.
10. EX-STUDENTS?
Check with the school to determine the
current status of their ex-students,
such as their employment and choice of higher education. With these
answers you will know that the values imparted by the school have
carried with the students through their lives. This will show the
quality of the students
being produce by the institution.
All the best!!!!