When I think about this topic, “should boarding schools be phased out in favour of day schools”, the question I keep asking myself is, how did the parents in the 80s train their children properly at home, but our generation introduced a system that keeps the child away from the parent.
I would not like to depict the fact that boarding schools do not have their profound positive effects on students, but is it really worth it? That’s the question I will answer at the end of this content to clarify whether boarding schools are way more important than day schools.
Well, it is said that to every living thing or object, there’s an advantage and a disadvantage to it, but with my points today on this debate topic, I will give detailed information on why the advantage of taking out boarding schools outweighs keeping them.
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10 Debate Points That Support Phasing Out Boarding Schools In Favour Of Day Schools
1. Boarding Schools Cause Emotional Disconnection From Family
One fact about boarding schools is that they keep students far away from their families for long periods. This distance makes many students miss the love, care, and guidance of their parents.
Most children who go to boarding schools grow up without proper family bonding. When students are far from home, they often develop emotional loneliness. They may face stress and sadness without anyone to comfort them.
On the other hand, day schools encourage stronger family ties. Students go home every day to be with their parents and siblings. Parents are the best people to understand their children’s emotions, but in boarding schools, that chance is lost.
2. High Cost Of Boarding Schools
Let’s not forget the fact that most, if not all, boarding schools are very expensive compared to day schools. Parents have to pay for feeding, accommodation, and extra care, apart from school fees. It puts financial pressure on families, especially those who struggle to make ends meet.
With the high fees, many brilliant students cannot attend boarding schools because of the high cost. This creates inequality in education, as only the rich can afford better facilities. Education should not be a privilege for the wealthy alone.
Well, if all schools were day schools, education would be more affordable. Parents would save money on boarding expenses and use it to support their children’s learning materials or other needs.
3. Poor Supervision And Bullying In Boarding Schools
For many boarding schools, students are left unsupervised for long hours, especially at night. This gives room for bullying and bad behaviour among students. Senior students often maltreat juniors without fear of punishment.
Some students face emotional trauma because of the bullying and harsh punishments they receive in hostels. This can affect their confidence and academic performance. Some even dread going back to school.
For day schools, students go home daily to report any issues to their parents. Parents can monitor their children’s well-being and quickly address problems, unlike in boarding schools, where problems go unnoticed.
4. Health And Hygiene Problems
The hygiene conditions in many boarding schools are poor. Toilets are often dirty, food may not be properly cooked, and students sometimes share personal items. These habits can easily spread diseases.
Overcrowded dormitories and poor sanitation make students fall sick frequently. When this happens, parents are not there to care for them, and school nurses are often overworked.
While in day schools, students eat clean food prepared at home and sleep in better conditions. This reduces health risks and helps them stay healthy and active for learning.
5. Poor Moral Supervision
As they say, moral training begins at home, and when students stay too long in boarding schools, parents lose control over their upbringing. Some students pick up bad habits from peers since there is little parental guidance.
On the other hand, teachers and hostel wardens cannot fully replace parents. They are more focused on academics than moral behaviour. As a result, students may grow up without good moral values.
But day schools allow children to stay under their parents’ supervision. Parents can correct bad behaviour immediately and guide their children toward good conduct every day.
6. Students Face Emotional Stress And Pressure
The boarding life can be mentally stressful. Students are forced to wake up early, follow strict rules, and sometimes face punishment for minor issues. This routine can make school life feel like a prison.
Most students find it difficult to adjust to boarding life. They miss home, their parents, and their comfort. This emotional stress can affect their studies and overall happiness.
For day schools, students have a balance between academic life and home life. They can relax at home after school, which helps them perform better and stay emotionally healthy.
7. Negative Peer Influence
Most students in boarding schools spend most of their time with peers, not parents. This constant peer influence can be dangerous because some students may learn bad habits like lying, stealing, or skipping classes.
Without parents around to guide them, it becomes difficult for students to know what is right or wrong. Peer pressure is very strong in boarding schools, and some students end up copying bad behaviour.
Well, day school students spend more time with their families, who can easily correct any negative influence. This helps them build a better character and make wiser decisions.
8. Lack Of Parental Monitoring Of Academics
When children are in boarding schools, parents rarely know their academic progress. They only see their report cards at the end of the term, which is too late to help if their child is struggling.
Also, teachers in boarding schools cannot give personal attention to every student. Some students who need extra help may fall behind without anyone noticing.
While day school students go home daily, parents can monitor their homework, discuss lessons, and support their studies. This involvement improves academic performance and discipline.
9. Exposure To Bad Habits
Well, due to poor supervision, many boarding students get exposed to bad habits like fighting, gossiping, or even sneaking out of school. These habits can ruin their future if not corrected on time.
Most students learn to lie or cheat just to avoid punishment or to impress others. Without close parental guidance, these behaviours become part of them.
For day schools, they give students fewer opportunities to misbehave because they go home every day. Parents can easily notice changes in their behaviour and correct them immediately.
10. Boarding Schools Can Be Unsafe
Not all boarding schools have proper security or medical care. There have been cases of accidents, missing students, and even fires in hostels. These incidents show that boarding schools are not always safe.
Most times when emergencies happen, parents are far away and cannot respond quickly. Some schools even hide incidents to protect their reputation.
While in day schools, students return home daily, so parents can protect them better. Safety should always come first, and day schools provide a safer learning environment.
Conclusion
Lastly, family is the foundation of society. When children grow up away from home, they lose daily contact with family traditions, culture, and language. This weakens their sense of identity.
Are boarding schools’ profound advantages, like making school children better outside their home, reading properly without distraction and more, really worth it? No, it isn’t worth it, and my points on this content prove that.
Day schools help preserve family bonds and cultural values, save money, and do more for parents. Students can learn both academics and life lessons from home, making them more balanced and responsible citizens.
