6 World Education Blog

Education is a microcosm of all that is indispensable to life. It is next to impossible to undermine the vitality of education in the progress of society as envisaged by the great many leaders and common masses. Even before we delve into the various concrete streams of education which exist today, it is imperative to understand the word ‘education’.

“Education transcends books”- a dictum which has withstood the trials and ravages of centuries and has etched its existence boldly in the minds of one and all. On retrospection one would invariably realize that education had augmented its roots from the time when evolution of man began. In fact it would be apt to conclude that had it not been for education in its varying forms, evolution of man was both an improbability and impossibility. Over the centuries we have learnt to ‘learn’ and ‘imbibe’ the best- this is the spirit of education.

Reverting to the 21st century, education has encompassed all barriers of classroom walls and has become more comprehensive. Just about three decades ago only three major strands were popular among the youth to be pursued for a career viz., medicine, engineering or government service. Sounds like history. Isn’t it? Globalization and increased exposure to international education standards coupled with the advent of multifarious job opportunities provided by multinational companies has ensured that a plethora of career and educational options are available to students. Gone are the days when education was bound in books with little or no attention being paid to the practical aspect of the subject and the student’s aptitude and personality. The increased competition is an evidence of the expansion of education beyond books and theory.

Innumerable career options today lay unfolded for students within the realm of education. To begin with, let us review some of the popular competitive entrance exams which have nullified the emphasis laid on marks obtained through cramming. The most coveted career option today is that of management. Thousands aspiring to be an MBA appear for the CAT exam every year. Clearing the CAT means that the 6 Indian Institutes of Management open their gates for the successful candidates. Never mind if you can’t get through CAT, MAT, SNAP and XAT are some of the other management entrance exams conducted by other institutes which will help you achieve your dream of being a management graduate.

Though MBA is the call of the day, Engineering and Medical profession still retain their charm. The key difference now is that the entrance exams for admission to reputed engineering and medical institutions have become more challenging. To get through to engineering, hundreds queue up each year to take the JET- Joint Entrance continue reading

You need to teach overseas! Pick a country, any country, and there will be at least one international school there. International Schools offer private education for expatriate’s children worldwide. And, while most of the parents have to pay school fees, one of the conditions nearly always included in the contracts of international teachers is free education for the teachers’ children. There are over 4000 international schools worldwide, all requiring teachers to staff them, many of them offering excellent quality private education.

Picking a school that suits both your children’s needs and yours can be challenging, but it is possible. In a recent interview I conducted with international teachers, Maggie Hos-McGrane, an international teacher of 19 years experience said that after she had completed her research she’d found only 30 of the more than 4000 international schools suited both her and her children. If you have children, here are some things you should consider when applying for teaching posts abroad in international schools.

Is the school a profit making enterprise?

There are a number of different kinds of international schools to choose from, some are run by a board and are not designed to make a profit, and others are run by an individual or company in order to make a profit.

As a teacher you will be concerned that the school’s educational philosophy matches your own. As a parent you want to insure that your children’s education is the priority of the school, rather than the amount of money spent on educational materials and the effect that will have on the school’s owner’s profit.

There are some directors or owners of international schools that may be more interested in the financial benefits of running a school than the education benefits to the students. Be aware, both as a prospective employee and as a parent.

Is the school accredited?

International schools can become accredited by an organization that sets educational and operational standards for international education institutions. One such organization is the Council of International Schools (CIS). In order for an international school to become accredited by CIS, they must go through a rigorous appraisal process which looks at the staff and management, the facilities and, the quality of teaching and learning in the school.

If an international school is accredited, then you can be confident that the quality of education provided by the school is high. Most schools that are accredited by an organization like CIS advertise their status on their webpage, brochures and stationery.

Other organizations that offer accreditation for international schools are NEASC, COBISEC, ISCIS and the Association of Christian Schools continue reading