There are not many boarding schools in Kolkata. Among the notable ones are Ramkrishna Mission, St. Paul’s Boarding School, and Pratt Memorial School. The former two are for boys and Pratt Memorial for girls. There are distinct advantages of these boarding schools. The boys and girls grow up within a strict discipline which helps them to face difficult situations in future life.

By staying in a group among boys or girls of different ages a fellow feeling develops which makes them empathetic towards others. When someone falls ill, there are many around to help him or her. In times of distress there is always someone near to take care. With everyone helping one another a strong cohesive bond is created between peers. These children grow up together and being in the same environment develops similar feelings.

In most of the boarding schools they have assemblies at definite times in the morning or evening. Everyone is addressed and often devotional and patriotic songs are sung. Breakfast, lunch, evening snacks, and dinner are given in a definite time each and every day. Food habits being regularized the incidence of diseases lessens. The food serves is of high nutritional value and non-spicy. The variety though limited is wholesome and healthy.

School children till 12 years of age must be monitored carefully against swine flu as they are among the most vulnerable together with elderly above 65 years. It has been observed that children and the aged who are susceptible to diseases easily are more prone to be affected by this disease. This viral disease is exceedingly infectious and those affected should ideally be kept in quarantine.

School going children if affected with this disease must not be allowed to move out of the house and provided timely treatment. Tamiflu the common drug may not be easily available for which it is always better to prevent the spread of this disease. After reaching home or returning home each one of the family must wash hands with soap and water. The face is the next most important body part which requires thorough cleaning. It is advisable to wash clean school uniform every day.

All children must not only keep a handkerchief but also learn to use it properly. Under no circumstances should a handkerchief be shared with others, particularly during times of swine flu. Certain food items work as swine flu preventives. Curd, garlic, and basil or tulsi leaves are excellent preventives of this flu. Parents must always insist on healthy food habits which develop the immunity system. It is to be remembered that a healthy body is resistant to many of the common diseases.

Art classes in Kolkata schools are fun. Kids, most of whom like to scribble with crayons find this class exceedingly enjoyable. It is a pity that art classes are held only once a week and only drawings are taught. After drawing, the children color as per their wishes. Coloring is fun to watch. There are some who pay careful attention to their coloring so that they never overlap. While, there are others for whom coloring is only creating patches. Color combinations are usually not taught in school classes.

There are some children who love drawing and painting and eagerly wait for their art period. Many among these kids get admitted to certain art schools to learn sketching and painting. Painting by water colors is taught at the beginning of primary school. After a child reaches middle school he is taught the use of tube colors. Oil painting is however not taught in regular classes. Oil painting, fabric painting are taught to students who selective creative art as an elective subject in senior schools or colleges.

Art classes can be made more interesting if some other fine arts are taught to school children. Synthetic clay modeling and paper collage are the easiest and affordable art forms that could be taught in schools. Paper cutting is anther fine art perfect for students of middle schools.

Vocational training can be very beneficial for students of middle and senior schools in Indian schools. There are certain schools which offer lessons in carpentry, fabric designing, glass painting, clay modeling, and technical drawing. There also are certain boards where students might select on of these subjects as their additional subject. These lessons in skills or vocations are always helpful for the students.

Many schools conduct lessons in performing arts like dramatics, public speaking, music and dancing. In our Calcutta Boys School we had dedicated teachers for giving lessons in musical instruments. Most of the boys interested in taking lessons in music learnt to play the violin and a few the piano. Music lessons were held during normal class hours in our music rooms.

Public speaking to the boys of Calcutta Boys’ School came naturally. We were given classes on elocution and debate regularly. Elocution was a must for all of us till class eight. We were evaluated on 100 marks on all the terminal examinations. From Preparatory Class till Class V elocution was only in the form of recitations. Class VI onwards till Class VIII we were evaluated on debates, extempore topics, and recitations. However, our elocution classes ceased after we reached Class IX.

Debates and elocutions were regular activities in our Calcutta Boys’ School. All through our primary and middle school we were required to recite poems, speak ex-tempore or participate in debates. They were fun and educative at the same time. Of course in the primary classes stress was more on recitation. Class VI onwards till Class VIII we had regular debate sessions.

All these sessions were compulsory and every body participated. We were even evaluated on our performances. In most of the occasions the topics were given one week in advance and the teacher decided on who should speak for the motion and who against. Each of us was given two minutes to speak with 30 seconds grace. There were excellent speakers, the fair ones, and the average ones. Each one of us encouraged the speakers whenever they fumbled or got stuck. However during examinations we were not allowed to help.

Ex-tempore speeches were fun as most of the topics were witty and had sufficient scope for speaking. The topics were only given after we went up to the teacher and faced the class. We only had about a few seconds to think about the topic before speaking. In the senior schools we never got the scope of regular debating or elocutions except for during school festivals.

This entire exercise proved helpful for all of us, more so for those who are engaged in customer relationship jobs, and marketing operations.

15^th August, India’s Independence Day is celebrated with reverence and respect. Celebrations begin on the midnight of 14^th as India gained independence in midnight. However in schools and educational institutes across Kolkata and other Indian cities celebrations are held on 15^th August morning.

Little girls come clad in saris while the boys come dressed in kurtas and pyjamas. Dresses are predominantly white with many attired in green and saffron, the three colours of the Indian flag. The teachers are also attired in the same colours. The ceremony begins with the principal hoisting the national flag with the Indian national anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’ being sung by all present there. After hoisting of the national flag, an event of songs, dances, and recitations follows. Students and sometimes teachers participate in this joyous cultural programme.

All performances are related to India’s independence and patriotism. The song and dance recitals are often brilliant with the combination of brightly coloured dresses, and elaborate make up. The performances are a real life collage magnificiently displayed. The children participate with zeal and lot of enthusiasm. In some Kolkata schools parents and guardians are invited to attend the Independence Day celebrations, though in most cases it is restricted to within members of the school only. After the celebrations get over the participants are offered refreshments which they thoroughly enjoy.   

The concept of practice of school fests began in Kolkata in the early 1980s. It was an encouraging change for the senior school members. Three to four days of undiluted fun with the participation of the leading schools of Kolkata became important events in school calendars. Students and teachers got an opportunity to break the monotony of periods and chapters and whole-heartedly participated with enthusiasm and zeal.

The events of these festivals ranged from performing arts to creative arts. Among the creative arts competitions were held in creative writing, poetry writing, painting, sketching, photography, and collage composition. In the performing arts section, one act plays, elocution, musical performances of a number of categories were held. Solo recitals and musical band performances were the highlights of the fests and was held last. Surprisingly, quiz competitions a somewhat serious event among all these performances, could find a place in these festivals.

In the first year when we held Concorde, the fest of Calcutta Boys’ School, there was a lot of apprehension about the success of the entire show. Inviting schools, judges, getting sponsors for our event were all very new and being experienced for the first time. It was a runaway success and prompted us to repeat the fest year after year.

Located at the heart of Kolkata, this reputed institute was founded in the year 1952. It is a girl’s school which is committed towards providing an environment which would help the students to grow and become independent individuals. Rich academic programs which help the students to be academically sound. If you are interested to join this reputed institution then you would have to collect the admission forms and prospectus from the school office. You can also apply via the online facility. The school provides the students a comprehensive curriculum which provides them with the much needed knowledge.

Quality programs, extra-curricular activities are the chief features of this school. It has a history of academic excellence and many outstanding alumnae have passed out from this school. Located in a very convenient position it is easily accessed by most students. It has top grade infrastructure and facilities which is an added feature of the school. Let this school become the platform for your child’s success in life as you take the momentous decision of admitting her in a particular school. If you want to get admitted in this school or want to contact the school for detailed information regarding their admissions procedure then you can contact them at: mhscal1@vsnl.net

Located in Kolkata it is a co-educational institution which is of high repute. The aim of the school is to promote education and provide them with a environment which is conducive for quality learning and will help them to grow as an individual and academically. It has two campuses one in Rajarhat and the other in Baguihati. The school students participate in a variety of extra-curricular activities. Games, music, dance, art and craft and dramatics are some of the co-curricular activities done at the school. The vision of the school is to nurture the child’s mind and help them to grow so that they can contribute to the society. The admissions test and the interview are he two hurdles a student has to overcome before they actually get admission at the institute. You are to get along the photocopied document of the original birth certificate. You can get the admission form and the prospectus at the school only. The teachers are committed to the student’s success hence motivating and inspiring them at every step of their educational career. And hence your child will be benefited and be an achiever in the long run. For detailed information you can always contact the school at: info@neschool.org  

Founded in the year 1996, this school in Kolkata has come to stay which is considerable a new school and has made fabulous achievement in a very short time span. Internationally praised and has got The International School Awards by the British Council. The School stands for the 4 P’s positivity, perseverance, persistence, and purity of purpose. It is a school that goes beyond the traditional ways to serve the students with something better and more advanced. The teachers are very dedicated and constantly try to motivate the students so that they can achieve success in their career path. If you are interested to join this reputed institution you can always contact the school at contact@lsakolkata.com

Your child will be very much benefited from what the school has to offer. There are many students whom I have come across are bright students and have achieved great academic success. The school is located in a convenient position and hence it can be easily accessed. This school will be a stepping stone to your child’s success and it will definitely help the students to make their future.