What makes a good educational establishment

Tips on searching & selecting a good educational establishment

An educational establishment is an environment where people are being trained on how they can acquire knowledge and how they can use this acquired knowledge to reach their individual goals and objectives in life.

No single rule can be used in making a choice of a good educational establishment. In as much as people have individual goals and objectives in life, so too do they have individual criteria in selecting an educational establishment that would prepare them to fulfill their individual needs. In effect, this write up is an independent opinion, meant to guide any individual, wanting to make a choice of an educational institution.

The following are some of those aspects that can help you make a choice of a good educational establishment. (NB. “Scholars” has been used here to represent pupils and students and academicians).

Credibility and Recognition:

For an educational establishment, to be good, it should be credible. That is the establishment should be registered and duly approved by the government of that country. This will give the scholars and the public, an assurance of existence and survival.

It is true to accept that not all existing educational establishments are being approved by the government. Although some of these institutions are doing fine or even better, an institution that is not recognized by the government creates fear and suspense because of the possibility of it being closed-down at any time by the authorities that be.

The Location:

The location here is meant to be the site or the area where the establishment is situated. A good educational institution should be in a very conducive environment, having a good transport network which makes movements accessible, with a good climatic condition and void of unwanted distractions.

Academic programs:

The type or nature of academic programs being offered in a school could determine how good the establishment is. This goes along side with orientation. That is, a school that orientates its scholars on the nature of their programs, its advantages/ disadvantages and what future holds for them, given their respective academic programs is commendable.

It has been recognized that most educational establishments do not care about what subjects a student takes at school. What most schools and scholars think of is the possibility of passing the end of course certificate exams and not what the future holds for the scholars and the community community.

An educational establishment that has concern for the future of its scholars is praiseworthy.

Staffing:

The staff should be able to plan, organise, control, coordinate and manage the activities of the school as well as its scholars. Employing wrong educators to fill wrong positions is a well designed means towards total failure in delivering the right products.

Both the teaching and administrative staff should be well educated, qualified and trained to produce excellent results. This staff should be dynamic, devoted and ready to change with the changing situations and technology. A good staff student’s relationship is recommended for a cordial academic environment.

The Infrastructural Facilities:

The infrastructural facilities of an establishment are also of great significance to contribute towards selecting a good educational establishment.

Conducive class rooms, good dormitories, medical & sanitary condition, teaching aid laboratories, computer /internet services, availability of a well equipped research library, provision of didactic materials, recreational facilities like play grounds which contributes to the build up a student’s extra curricular activities are all significant, when determining a good educational establishment.

Staff and Scholars Motivation:

The staff and scholars should be well motivated. Staff motivation comes from a good salary which is timely paid, good living and working conditions, provision of didactic materials, organization of pedagogic training seminars and extracurricular activities.

Scholars on their part should be encouraged through the award of scholarships to meritorious scholars, provision of recreational facilities, the creation of scholars’ clubs, associations and a careful selection and organization of other extracurricular activities.

Performance at public Exams:

Examinations might not be a good test of knowledge, but has been proven to be the best so far. A good performance by the scholars of an institution gives an impression of good quality education provided at that establishment. In fact this lone reason, shelters other factors, given that passing an end of course examination and obtaining a certificate is the main goal (according to many) of pursuing an educational career.

It is then left at the discretion of every scholar to choose on whether his/her main goal is to be educated, learned, or obtain a certificate.

Moral and disciplinary policies:

The moral and disciplinary policies of an establishment, stated in the internal rules and regulations governing the institution is a vital element. These disciplinary measures which must be portrayed by regular scholars and graduates alike, gives a good image to that establishment. A people with good moral upbringing (they say), shall always succeed in life.

Compiled by:

Fuh Joseph Che

For Mawum.com!