When I was a kid, public schools were supposed to be the top of the pile. If you went to one, it meant a lot to the child and to his/her parents. Having studied in one for virtually my entire childhood, I can vouch that it gives you a terrific grounding to prepare you to face the challenges of life ahead.At the Lawrence School, Lovedale where I studied, we had a wonderful blend of academics and extra-curricular activities be they sports or pursuing hobbies. For many like me, I fear the latter was more interesting than academics.We didn’t have to study all that much considering we had classes only from ( if I recall correctly after all these years) something like 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 pm. We certainly didn’t go around like beasts of burden like the unfortunate children do today with back packs big and heavy enough to make one think they are off on a mountaineering expedition.
In recent years, perhaps over the last decade or so, it’s become fashionable to send kids to “international schools”. I haven’t been anywhere near one so I wouldn’t know what they are all about or how good or bad they are. Some people speak highly of them and say they are very current in their outlook. I wonder if the stock of the good old public schools have fallen somewhat. I hope that’s not true though!
I was amused to see the other day a school bus belonging to Venkat International Public School. This was a new one on me!
