Why not an Orientation Day for schools?

Schools and colleges are all set to re-open after the refreshing summer vacation. There is palpable excitement among the students of all classes. Many colleges across Hyderabad welcome its students with an Orientation Day. In which, students get a brief introduction to their curriculum, etc, and also it is a day where the college gives an assurance to the parents about their children in the campus.

However, this is not followed in schools. In most cases, parents are clueless about their wards schedule, additional activities, etc.Archana, a parent of Class II, student says, “I spend thousands for my kid’s schooling. And I always have a doubt about why the education system has turned so costlier these days.

I wanted to know what additional activities schools indulge in that it is leading to this high fee structure. Having an Orientation Day will definitely help us understand things better. And we will know where we are putting our money in.”
Orientation programme is an opportunity for parents to know what to expect in the coming year and also equip themselves with it. They get to know the different teachers, who will handle their kids for next one year.

Also, it will be a day to understand the pattern of examination, extracurricular activities and much more from school. The more the transparency is the more is the success in the education process.Seetha Kiran, Principal of DAV School says, “Orientation Day is absolutely important to be implemented at the school level also.

Parents are the important stakeholders in a child’s career; we have to make them as partners in this schooling process. We should explain them about their roles and also assure them about our role. It is parents who should know how to handle kids at different stages.

The school is just a part for children; home is a place where kids get to learn many things. Explaining and briefing up about the roles which we play and the roles which they are supposed to play for kid’s growth is very important.”“We have parent and teachers meets very often but I think we have to start Orientation Day too.

This will actually clear the air between a teacher and the parent. By this Orientation Day, we get to see and explain the extremely busy parents too. Last year before closing the academic year we arranged a guest lecture at the campus just for the parents, I was surprised to see the results as there wasn’t even half the strength from parents,” she adds.

Ashish Naredi, Executive Member of the Hyderabad School Parents' Association (HSPA) says, “I think this is a good idea because it will give a complete overview for the coming year. There are many parents who worry about the kid’s education even after enrolling them in the best schools in the city, by spending a huge amount at schools. So, a meeting of the academic year will absolutely help parents. I wish this idea gets implemented in most of the schools”.

By Bhagyashree Kottoori