What is a Boarding School?
A boarding school is a school where people not only receive classroom education but accommodation also. Also known as residential school, boarding school provides educations, meals, and lodging to its students. There are different types of boarding schools including All boys boarding schools (for boys only), All girls boarding schools (for girls only), co-ed boarding schools (for boys and girls both), and day cum boarding schools (for boarding and no-boarding purpose). Students who reside in boarding schools are referred as boarders. Depending on the time spent in a boarding school, boarders are categorized into different types such as full-time boarders, semester boarders, and semi-boarders.
Full time boarders spent most of their time in the school and return home at the end of the academic year only. Semester boarders visit their home at the end of a semester or week. Semi-boarders are those students who spent their entire day at the school but return home at the end of the day.
History of Boarding Schools in India
India has a vast history of boarding schools that dates to the British colonisation era. These educational programmes of boarding schools have evolved significantly over the ages to meet the demands of a changing society. Boarding schools in India have developed from being primarily concerned with teaching children basic education and discipline to becoming comprehensive institutions that offer a well-rounded education and support the personal and professional development of children.
In India, boarding schools existed since Vedic era (1500 to 800 BCE). During those times, the students would reside at the house (gurukul) of their teacher (guru) to receive religious education apart from political and scientific knowledge. Earlier, the education provided in gurukuls was primarily oral but with time, writing system was employed in which students were allowed to write on the palm leaves. There was no proper distinction between secondary and higher education in that era. Also, there was no concept of inclusive education, therefore there were restrictions in education based on the age, sex, caste, and creed.
The establishment of boarding schools in India took place in 19th century at the time of British colonizers. These residential school were specifically founded for the education of the children of British officers who were stationed in the country. The curriculum of these boarding schools was designed to impart basic education and discipline to the pupils. The main subjects of focus were like geography, maths, and English. Students had to go through a rigid education system and adhere to strict rules and regulations.
With the growth of British rule in India, the number of boarding schools increased in the country. The education in these schools was now not restricted to the children of British officers only. Also, other subjects like History, Science, and Mathematics were included in the curriculum. The boarding schools started following the modern societal rules by prioritising discipline, extracurricular activities, and sports in addition to the traditional classroom education.
In today’s modern times, the Indian boarding schools have evolved into all-encompassing establishments that offer students a thorough education and facilitate their personal and professional development. These institutions emphasise the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills in addition to a broad curriculum with subjects like science, mathematics, language, and the humanities. Extracurricular activities and athletics are also highly valued in these schools since they foster character development and the development of leadership qualities in children.
What is the Difference Between Boarding and Non-boarding Schools?
In a boarding school or residential school, the students live on campus and receive classroom education. They must follow a strict schedule in terms of classroom education, extracurricular activities, and overall study. Boarding schools are often expensive, and the students must fulfil certain criteria to get the admission in these schools.
Non-boarding or non-residential schools are cheaper compared to the boarding schools. Here students receive education during the day and go back to their respective homes by the end of the day. In day boarding schools, students have a balance between their academic and personal life.
Benefits of Boarding Schools
Following are some of the benefits of best boarding schools in India.
Unique and Challenging Academic Education
Education at a boarding school is typically more difficult than that at a public or private day school. It emphasises experience-based learning and demanding academics in a special way. Students who learn in an experience-centred classroom are better able to discipline themselves and build a solid work ethic that will aid them in their future academic endeavours.
Motivation Through Peer Learning
Living and playing among peers help students to learn and socialise in a boarding school environment. Students from various backgrounds living in a diversified boarding school environment have a unique chance for development and education. As they study together both inside and outside of the classroom, students can broaden their experiences and viewpoints. It also motivates them to learn, grow, and perform with their peers.
Small Class Size for Better Interaction
A student's progress can be greatly impacted by small class size. Students engage with the topic more deeply when given the opportunity to communicate with peers and teachers; this dynamic increases the likelihood that the information will retain. In a smaller classroom, the relationship between teachers and students becomes closer. Students also feel more at confident and self-assured while giving conveying their ideas and answers.
Promotes Social Maturity
Having a diverse group of peers and living with them all time can often lead to disagreements. However, this dynamic opens the door to more mature social perspectives and broader worldviews. Living in boarding helps children to gain important social life skills. It has been found that stronger sense of community is frequently the result of board schooling.
Personal Growth and Development
Living away from home with fellow students fosters personal growth and development. Children attending boarding schools often develop important life skills like independence, work ethic, and time management more quickly than those attending public schools.
One of the best skills that boarders learn is the time management. Since students must juggle between studies, clubs, extracurricular activities, and other tasks, they develop an additional level of responsibility.
Find Best Boarding Schools in India at Edustoke
There are many boarding schools in India. Since India is a huge country, it is quite challenging to find the best boarding schools in India at one place. At Edustoke, we have compiled a list of the top boarding schools in India using different criteria, including in-depth research, genuine parent reviews, student opinions, and more. All boarding schools in the country are included in the list, including ICSE, CBSE, State Board, IB, and IGCSE boarding institutions.