My two children have been going to a certain school for eight years.
However, I have had to make an important, but difficult decision to take them to another school. We relocated a little out of town, but still kept the children in their old school for many reasons. This has meant having to wake up very early to prepare them and leave home before the road traffic builds up.
Of course, we were not alone because many parents take their children to school by 6:30am. There is also a growing discussion about the negative impact of waking children very early and taking them to bed late – all in the name of education. During our times, we had no problem walking to and from school every day, but things have changed.
For some months, I reasoned that taking my children to another school would have a negative impact on them, especially because they had been in this particular school for some years.
They not only loved their friends, but also had formed strong bonds with their teachers. The school, too, was providing a reasonably-good education at an affordable fee. In short, we basically loved the school, the administration and the family-like atmosphere.
After much soul-searching and praying, I decided to bite the bullet and take my children to another school. As expected, the children were extremely resistant at the beginning. So, I had to think through how to help ease the transition to a new school.
The major lesson I have learnt through this process is the importance of dialogue and involving them in decision-making. We collectively discussed the options available; highlighting the advantages and opportunities for them.
Finally, when we had settled for a school that we believed would be good, the children were offered a chance to ‘taste’ it out for a week. Not many schools in Uganda would offer such an opportunity.
The one-week ‘taste’ of the school experience was the game-changer. Therein lies the second lesson that schools could pick up to offer students such opportunities.
At the end of the day, it seemed to me that more often than not it is we, the parents, who need reassurance when our children change schools.
The children seem to blend in well and get on with it. We are also cognizant of the need to help the children keep in touch with their old friends; so, we will do all it takes to keep them connected.
The reassurance that they will stay connected with their old school network is critical for the children to adjust and begin to make new friends.
All in all, any change in management process can only be successful if there is good preparation for it, and finding ways to mitigate any of the negative consequences. For now, I hope that I don’t have to make this change again in the near future.
