As someone who has spent three decades in education, I find myself reflecting on a trend that is becoming increasingly common.
When parents evaluate schools today, the conversation often revolves around facilities, infrastructure, air-conditioned classrooms, technology, activities, global exposure, and an endless list of “offerings.”
While these certainly have their place, I wonder:
Have we begun to mistake facilities for education?
How often do parents ask:
✔️ What values does the school nurture?
✔️ How does the school build resilience and character?
✔️ How does it develop communication, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence?
✔️ How does it prepare children for a world that is changing faster than ever before?
Many parents are working harder than ever and are understandably pressed for time. In their quest to provide the very best for their children, schools are often expected to compensate for what families can no longer consistently provide—time, conversations, guidance, and involvement.
But education was never meant to be outsourced.
A school can provide opportunities.
A school can provide experiences.
A school can provide an environment for growth.
Yet the true education of a child remains a partnership between school and home.
As educational frameworks evolve and the demands of the future shift, perhaps it is time to revisit a fundamental question:
When choosing a school, are we selecting a place with the best facilities—or a place that will bring out the best in our children?
I would love to hear the perspectives of educators and parents alike.
By: Ms. Monika Sharma
(Principal of SRGS)