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education
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 20 2015
Reasons to go private There are many benefits to a private school education for your child
D
espite the ongoing financial crisis, many families are still satisfied to pay for the numerous benefits only a private school can offer, whether it’s at a nursery, kindergarten, primary or secondary school level. The size of a school, teacher-to-pupil ratios, sports, library and laboratory facilities, extracurricular activiA number of private ties options and schools also boast a even length of the particularly strong ac- school day are all factors taken into ademic record which consideration. many parents may Many private consider an advantage schools, for example, are chosen for pupils attending because they are them able to offer a more family-oriented environment and attractively smaller classes than state schools provide. This creates a better opportunity for teachers to give individual pupils more
attention if and when required. Respect for authority and discipline are usually also easier to enforce in this kind of environment. In many cases, private schools can also supply sports or educational facilities that government funds cannot stretch to at state schools, particularly during these financially difficult times. Afternoon activities provided on-site at private schools are another attractive incentive, helping not only to keep pupils constructively occupied during the afternoon but also encouraging them to develop a variety of skills and become more rounded individuals. A wide range of extracurricular activities are offered at most schools, catering for interests as diverse as drama and archery depending on the school. Parents may also prefer to avoid the need for extra afternoon classes towards their children taking international exams in addition to the state school graduate certificate.
This can be achieved by sending a child to a facility that offers classes during the regular school day that will eventually lead to their taking international examinations such as, but not limited to, A-levels or the International Baccalaureate, and opening the way for specific university studies overseas. A number of private schools also boast a particularly strong academic record which many parents may consider an advantage for pupils attending them. Often there are also practical issues to consider including the school’s language of instruction. Expatriate as well as many Cypriot families often feel that schooling in a language other than Greek is their most viable option. This is particularly true for families that may be passing through Cyprus for a time before the parents’ work takes them somewhere else, such as in the case of embassy personnel. It is worth noting, though, that a number of Greek private schools also thrive in Cyprus, offering pupils all the benefits in the comfort of their home language. Many families also prefer to have their child educated in the multicultural environment most private schools can offer, and provide their children with strong additional language skills. Some private schools provide tuition
in more than one language from as early as kindergarten level and most private schools in Cyprus are attended by pupils from around the world. Private schools also make strong efforts to play an active role in the local community. Private school pupils are often encouraged to volunteer for a variety of worthy causes and children are encouraged to learn more about the world around them and do what they can for charity. It is also worth noting that private schools have in recent years also been included in many Education Ministry educational programmes, including second year of secondary school access to the state’s laptop subsidy. When both parents work full-time, private kindergartens in particular may also be the only feasible choice for younger children, since they have operating hours that are in many cases far longer than the state-provided alternative. A bonus is that they may not necessarily close for the holidays for as many days as state schools do. Sometimes, the choice to send a child to a private school may come down to something as simple as family tradition. If a parent or, in some cases, grandparent attended a specific school, it may be a natural choice for a child to go there too. It is also important to note that, even during these cash-strapped times, some private schools have been adjusting their fees or offering special scholarships and incentives in recognition of the financial difficulties faced by some families today. Many parents also factor in the potential cost of afternoon lessons when deliberating between private or state school. Taking all this into account, it is no surprise that private schools still remain the first choice for so many pupils and their parents.