Stages of School Education in India

Every parent is concerned about their child’s education and wants to provide the best education to them. Nowadays child’s education is beyond learning how to write and read. Child’s education means child’s grooming, enhancing his knowledge, exposing him to different ideas and introducing him to the environment around him. When we think of our child’s education the few questions that strike in our mind are: At what age should a child start going to school? What is the age limit to get admission in pre-primary or primary school? When do school admissions start? This article describes various stages of education in India. Stage 1: Pre- Primary Pre-primary stage is the foundation of child’s knowledge, skills and behavior. The completion of pre-primary education sends the child to primary stage. Primary education is the first stage of compulsory education. It enables the children to get prepared for future higher classes. The pre-primary stage consists of Preparatory class (pre-nursery), nursery, LKG and UKG. LKG/UKG stage is also called as Kindergarten (KG) stage. At play schools, children are exposed to a lot of basic preschool learning activities that help them to get independent faster. These preschool activities help develop in children many self-help qualities like eating food themselves, dressing up, maintaining cleanliness and other such basic qualities. Pre-primary education has an essential part to play in every school system, though primary education in India is not a fundamental right. Age limit for admission in nursery is 2 years 6 months to 3 years 6 months. Age limit for LKG (Junior KG) is 3 years 6 months to 4 years 6 months and for UKG (senior KG) is 4 years 6 months to 5 years 6 months. Stage 2: Primary Stage The primary stage consists of Classes I to V. i.e. of five years duration, in 20 States/UTs namely Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Delhi and Karaikal and Yaman regions of Pondicherry.  The primary stage consists of classes I-IV in Assam, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu, Lakshadweep and Mahe region of Pondicherry. Age limit for class I is 5 yrs. 6 months to 6 yrs. 6 months, for class II is 6 yrs. 6 months to 7 yrs. 6 months and so on. The enrollment in primary school starts from the age group of 6 years and continues till age 14. Elementary education mission in India looks after the facilities of the primary mode of education. The structure of primary school is preceded by pre-primary education and followed by secondary education. The subjects taught at the primary school include science, geography, history, math and other social sciences. Stage 3: Middle Stage The middle stage of education comprises of classes VI to VIII in as many as 18 States and Union Territories viz., Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Delhi and Karaikal region of Pondicherry; Classes V-VII in Assam, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu, Lakshadweep and Mahe region of Pondicherry and Classes VI-VII in Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Yanam region of Pondicherry. In Nagaland Classes V – VIII constitute the upper primary stage. Stage 4: Secondary Stage The Secondary Stage/ High school consists of Classes IX-X in 19 States/UTs. Viz., Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan , Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Delhi and Karaikal region of Pondicherry.  The High School stage comprises classes VIII to X in 13 States/UTs viz., Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Orissa, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu, Lakshadweep and Mahe & Yanam regions of Pondicherry.  However, the Higher Secondary / Senior Secondary stage of school comprising classes XI-XII (10+2 pattern) is available in all the States/UTs though in some States/UTs these classes are attached to Universities/Colleges. Subjects in Secondary stage are Mathematics, Science, Social Science, English, Hindi or regional language of particular state. Stage 5: Senior Secondary Stage The Higher Secondary / Senior Secondary stage of school comprising classes XI-XII  (10+2 pattern) is available in all the States/UTs though in some States/UTs these classes are attached to Universities/Colleges. In senior secondary stage, students have to opt their subjects depending on their interests. Different streams are Medical, Non medical, Commerce and Arts.    
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10 Tips to Master Maths for School Children

“Pure mathematics is, in its way, the poetry of logical ideas” -Albert Einstein  Maths – a subject that few love and most children are scared of. The reason being, scoring in maths is not easy. Continuous poor score in maths, tests the patience of students who finally give up considering, maths is not their cup of tea. Teachers and parents try their best to make maths easy for the children but finally the conclusion is not always very happy. Neither giving up on maths is a healthy idea. Maths is such a subject that a minimal knowledge of it is required at any stream of higher education. Hence all children necessarily need to learn the basics of maths. To ensure students learn maths with complete interest, there is only one pre-requisite – a strategic approach of maths learning. If either parents or teachers can ensure that the knowledge of maths is imparted on students strategically and systematically, then children will not only grow interest in maths but also begin to perform well in the subject. Here is UrbanPro Maths Teacher Community, highlighting some simple yet smart ways of changing your child’s maths learning, so that they master maths easier and faster: Practice, practice, and practice Maths is not a theory. As Einstein has stated, it’s a series of operations that needs to be executed logically. Hence, students should not attempt to mug up maths. Students should practice so that they know all probable kinds of questions from a specific maths chapter and also, how to answer them. Teachers and parents can go strictly to ensure, students spend ample time in solving different types of maths questions. Boost the basics It’s very important that the basics of maths is clear for every student. Until the basics are clear, students cannot move forward in learning maths. The basics of maths is taught in primary classes when it’s important that students are guided by the right set of tutors who ensure a healthy maths learning process. The basics of maths cannot be altered in higher classes.  Go chapter wise While learning maths, it’s important that students go chapterwise in order. Every maths based operation in linked to the next chapter. So skipping chapters or topics in between can make the next chapter tougher for students. It’s highly recommended that students learn every maths chapter one after the other. Use of flashcards To make maths interactive for students, flash cards is a new kind of stationery that teachers are relying on. On the flashcards, important formulas or mathematical operations can be written in block letters and preserved for future use of students. Before beginning to practice maths, students can refer to these flash cards for a revision of important formulas and operations.  Books and references There are so many books to refer to when it comes to maths learning. It’s better, students practice the same maths chapter from different books. This will open them to varied kind of maths problems and also, help them learn in-depth maths operations. Reading in maths Many students are not taught about the importance of reading in maths. Maths is not only a to-do subject. Many maths problems that initially students conclude as tough can be solved if they focus and read attentively. Hence, during maths classes teachers should ensure that students read every problem with concentration and then attempt to solve the problem. Devices and their use in maths During maths classes, students should not be permitted to use calculators or cell phones. The growing dependency to solve maths with the help of electronic devices can affect a child’s calculative abilities. At school level, maths should only be a pen and paper subject for students. Focus on formulas At intermediate school level, maths includes the use of formulas. Students are usually made to mug up the mathematical formulas and apply them when required. This is a very wrong way of teaching maths. Teachers should explain mathematical formulas to students with examples and also, teach them when and where to use which mathematical formula. Difficult chapters in maths There is no one chapter that can be called difficult in maths. It depends on the students that which part of maths they find difficult. It’s also on the part of teachers and parents to cross check, which part of maths is tough for students and ensure more time is spent on those areas.  Real life examples To make maths interesting for students, the best way is to introduce real life instance for every problem. Students find it easy to understand the problem and solve it, once real life examples are stated. Alone book based knowledge of maths can make it very boring for students.  
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Tips to prepare your child for school

Preparing your child for school could be an exciting time for you and your little ones. At the initial stage, it could be a little difficult for your child to settle in a new environment and schedule. But with proper encouragement, your child could easily adjust in a school regime. We’ve complied a couple of useful tips for you, to ease the process of preparing your child for school: Keep things simple, make school easier for your child Starting in a new schedule can be daunting for your kid, so keep things simple without pressurising your child to learn new things. In the early preschools days, focus more on making your child comfortable in the new setting, helping him to express his new experiences. When you make your child feel school like play, your child is going to enjoy different learning activities. Explain your child about his new schedule Don’t expect your child to be all eager and happy to go to school. Going to school means a huge schedule change for your child, so it’s better to give your child a heads up on what his schedule would look like. Educate your child that he needs to go to school everyday, also highlight on activities he would love e.g. making new friends and doing cool activities, to prepare your child for starting school. It’s OK, if your child doesn’t know to read and write Your little ones may not know how to read and write and that’s totally OK. Every child is unique, few would learn alphabets and numbers quickly while others may take a little more time. Nonetheless, each child comes with special learning capabilities. There are trained teachers who are going to help your child develop and nurture their multiple talents, so relax. Prepare your child emotionally ready for school Change always brings mixed emotions. Your child is sure to go through a lot of different emotions, from excitement to sadness. Going to a school will need your child to mingle with fellow children, teachers and others, which is going to be different from staying at home. This change of setting is sure to trigger anxiety and overwhelm your child. Be supportive and help your child overcome this stressful times, so that he looks forward to school every day. Familiarise him with the school and routine Taking your child to the school premises and introducing him to teachers and other children, would make him aware and comfortable of his new surroundings. You could also help your child practice self-care activities e.g. opening the lunchbox, going to the washroom, and putting his clothes, these activities would help him cope with his new school environment when you are not around. Things to avoid when your child is new at school Talk endlessly about school Talking a lot more about school related topics would overwhelm your child and make him hate school. Keep things casual, don’t overdo it. Let your child enjoy school. If you are nervous, don’t show it Your child is likely to pick up your anxiety. So even if you are anxious about his starting school, don’t show it. Never talk negatively about school Try not to make negative comments such as ‘I hate school’, ‘I don’t like going to school’, in front of your child, as he might start developing those feelings too.  
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How to find the best school for your child?

How to find the best school for your child? Finding the right school for your child can be pretty daunting if you are a new parent. Choosing the right school for your little ones, make all the difference helping your child do well in academics and develop an overall personality. There are various school boards in India, you can choose what suits best for your child. School education for kids play a crucial role in shaping a child’s life and career. Here are few aspects to consider while choosing the right school for your child:   School Credentials In the past few decades, schools have become a lucrative business. We’ve witnessed schools mushrooming in every nook and corner of towns and cities. Many of these new schools are not even recognized by the government. For example, there are more than 10,000 IGCSE and CBSE schools and a good number of them are functioning without proper affiliation from the concerned boards. So check out beforehand, whether the schools you are looking for have a proper affiliation with the relevant boards or not. A recognized school for your kid means taking the first education decision right. Teachers matter Teachers are the core of learning growth among students. Outstanding teachers don’t just teach students, they accelerate learning and boost confidence among children. When it comes to great performance by students, more than any other aspects of schooling, Teachers matter more to students’ achievements. When you are on the lookout for the best schools for your child, inquire about the qualification of the teachers, What is their teaching style?, How prepared are the teachers for classes?, How the school evaluates the teachers? and more related questions. As seen in most cases, teachers who graduated from reputed universities or colleges with successful teaching records, tend to become better teachers. So don’t shy away, ask important questions before finalising a school for your child. Student-Teacher Ratio The student-teacher ratio is one of the most critical aspects, you should look for while searching for schools. A lower student-teacher ratio guarantees better individual attention and can help your child reach his/her full potential. Students who actually connect with the teachers, tend to get more out of a course and retain more information discussed in the classroom. So ask the school authorities about the PTR (Pupil to Teacher Ratio). Check out the ideal student to teacher ratios: Playschool – 8:1 to 10:1 Primary Classes – 25:1 to 30:1 Upper Primary Classes – 30:1 to 35:1 Avoid schools which have 50:1 student-teacher ratio. A huge gap between students and teacher ratio would not be conducive to learning and overall mental development of your child. Pick a School with your preferred Curriculum There is various school curriculum in India – CBSE, State Board, IGCSE, IB, and ICSE. If you haven’t decided yet which school curriculum to go for, check detailed information about each of these boards. Once you have decided on a specific board, you can start visiting schools which offer a curriculum of your choice. While choosing a school for your child, please keep in mind the nature of your job. If you have a transferable job, you can consider CBSE board schools, as you can easily get your child in a school with CBSE curriculum. No all cities/town/locality in India, have IB and IGCSE schools. Ask Parents for Reviews You will know how good a school is when you talk to parents whose kids are studying in the school. Visiting the school and meeting the staffs, don’t always give you the real picture of the school. So talk to the students and their parents about the quality of education, facilities provided for children and whether the staffs are prompt and responsive. Asking these simple questions to relevant people would help you arrive faster to a reasonable conclusion about a school. Check Safety Measures No school is complete without having adequate safety measures in place. And when you choose a school for your precious little one, ensure that the school has adequate safety measures in place to protect your child from natural disasters like earthquake, fire outbreak, stampede or any other form of disasters. Have a word with respective principals about various safety measures in place. Check out for the following safety measures: CCTV camera Proper bus pick and drop alerts (via SMS) Security check & escort facility for visitors Security or school personnel to make rounds in the school premises Background verification of school personnel and teachers Along with the natural disasters, there are also a growing number of sexual crimes happening in school premises. So it is very critical that you check and discuss in detail about the safety of your children in school. Trying to find news about a school in the past will also provide you vital information. Whether it is a natural disaster like earthquake or accident due to negligence or technical glitch, schools must have facilities and measures in place for students safety. Don’t ignore the Financial Aspect The financial aspect of educating your child is one of the determining factors in choosing a school. But, don’t pick a school based on how affordable a school is, as giving quality education to your child is the first and foremost important thing. However, the financial aspect cannot be ignored completely. Once you decide how much you would like to or can afford, then start visiting schools that comes within your budget. IB schools are pretty expensive in comparison to state boards and CBSE schools. Ideally, parents should start financial planning for their children education as soon as they are born. PTA Meeting PTA meetings are another important aspect that you shouldn’t miss out while choosing a school for your child. Talk with the teachers and staffs, at what intervals do they arrange a parents-teachers meeting. If the school meets only on the result day, then definitely it is not a good idea. Because regular interaction with the teachers is important to understand the good and weak points of your kids. So
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