MAKING A SECURE CHOICE FOR YOUR CHILD
For many professional families in East Africa , the current state of private school education poses a difficult question: if I am going to invest in a high cost school for my child, how do I tell which school will deliver quality education? One answer lies with schools that have passed the rigorous standards required by both IAPS (at preparatory level) and the Council of International Schools or CIS, but which schools are accredited? Recent developments in Kenya suggest that the stability of private high cost schools is not a given.
Parents would be forgiven for wondering how to differentiate between stable schools and those that might falter. Luckily, there is an organisation that does the investigative work for parents, by assessing every aspect of the management and delivery of quality education in such private schools. This is the Council of International Schools or CIS, an accreditation body that has been assessing schools world-wide since 1970.
Currently only two schools in Kenya have full accreditation through CIS: Brookhouse International School , which offers the British curriculum leading to A-levels; and the International School of Kenya, which offers an American curriculum. Both are co-educational, offering pre-prep, preparatory and secondary schooling, both attract students from many countries to form an international student body, but only Brookhouse offers boarding as an option.
The majority of private high cost schools in Kenya offer the British curriculum, and this reflects historical links with the UK as well as the Kenyan perception that the traditional focus of a British secondary education is a respected ticket to university study overseas. Schools like Brookhouse may have sent almost all of their graduates off to university in the UK ten yeas ago, but recent trends indicate students are choosing universities around the world, where British A-levels are a much sought after indication of academic strength at the finest universities in the USA , Canada , Australia and South Africa .
So, what exactly does CIS accreditation tell parents who want to opt for this kind of pathway to overseas university study? “It's a demanding process to go through” says Brookhouse Director Mr John O'Connor, “but CIS accreditation means that parents have the security of knowing they are safely investing in quality education provided by a secure and stable institution”.
Indeed, schools can only gain accreditation if they meet the highest standards academically AND can demonstrate good governance and effective fiscal management. Since many high cost schools in Kenya are privately owned, it is becoming more and more important to parents to know that their fees are being reinvested within the school and not otherwise. For example at Brookhouse one can see the signs of constant reinvestment to meet the academic and extra-curricular demands of a 21 st century education: flat screen computers, all fully networked with e-mail and internet access in the three computer laboratories; a gymnasium that would not be out of place in a 5 star hotel; five well equipped science laboratories with specialist facilities for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology; airy Art & Design studios; and a boarding facility that is quite outstanding and caters for nearly 200 students from all over Africa.
A school that has been fully accredited by CIS has to have demonstrated the “value added” qualities that parents have come to expect as a part of high cost education: recently Brookhouse students have undertaken tours to France and South Africa; the students can join the 200 member school choir or play an instrument in the school orchestra; they can debate world issues at the Model United Nations or climb Mount Kenya as part of their Gold Award for the President 's Award Scheme. Such activities are an integral part of what makes for a full and rounded education for any child, and the range of clubs and activities at a school like Brookhouse means that every child's interest is catered for. Many parents are impressed by such activities on offer, but want two more questions answered: how rigorous are the academic standards of the school, and how strict is the discipline?
Academically, a school like Brookhouse caters for varying levels of ability, and it is a core aspect of the school philosophy that states “our mission is to develop the students' intellectual, spiritual, physical, emotional, social and cultural growth to enable each child to achieve their full potential” .
It is not surprising therefore to find that the most able students gain places at Ivy League universities in the USA, and Top Ten universities in Britain, Australia and Canada. Just as impressive though is the care and attention given to students who are not academic high flyers, with the school providing a Special Needs Unit and specialist teachers to assist students with specific learning difficulties.
And the discipline? These days schools often refer to discipline as part of their ‘pastoral care' program, but parents are really much more concerned with issues like drugs, alcohol and smoking, which are perceived to be problem areas in high cost schools as much as anywhere else. At Brookhouse the discipline policy is firm and traditional: if you step outside the clearly defined behavioral expectations of the school then you forfeit your place as part of the school community. It's that simple. And it works. And it's pleasing to see that schools like Brookhouse still place emphasis on manners, courtesy and respect as part of the core values system of the school.
International schools like Brookhouse work diligently to recruit only the most highly qualified and committed staff, all of whom must have extensive British curriculum experience, and this does make a difference; whether it is an extra subject clinic after school in preparation for examinations, or the confidence of advice from a boarding mentor, Brookhouse staff embody the school's ethos of helping each child to grow in a nurturing and supportive environment. As in any good international school, the staff are recruited from all over the world, and the wealth of experience they bring to the classroom is paramount to the success of the school.
So then, for parents choosing the high cost private sector to educate their children in an international school environment there is some relief and security in knowing that despite a somewhat unsteady market place, you can rely on the professional evaluation of CIS as a guide. The assurance offered by CIS accreditation is reflected in the standards set by schools like Brookhouse, and although there is no denying that it is a massive financial undertaking for parents, at least it is now possible to make that investment in full knowledge of the exacting criteria established by CIS.
To find out more about CIS parents should e-mail: suecollins@cois.org
Parents who wish to know more about Brookhouse International School should visit www.brookhouse.ac.ke.