A proper regulatory mechanism is needed for international schools in Bangalore

Bangalore, the IT-capital of India, has been exposed to the concept of international schools since long. Bangalore International School, the city's oldest international school, dropped its roots in 1969, in a garage on Miller's Road.

Known as American Community School, it was started to serve the educational requirements of children of hundreds of American and Canadian families, residing in Bangalore.

In fact, there are three crucial factors that led to 'internationalisation' of education in the city. First, the impact of globalisation, which automatically led to settlement of large numbers of families, in search of work opportunities, belonging to various parts of Europe, America and Asia in Bangalore.

These families were always on the lookout to provide international education to their wards. Technological revolution and impact of internet, multimedia, gaming, TV, social media and communication devices in our daily lives helped in the spread of the idea of international schools.

Moreover, the advancement of sophisticated technology in the last 50 years is putting pressure on us to re-look into the traditional teaching-learning processes.

Over the years, international schools have changed the education landscape in Bangalore. In fact, these  schools have been pivotal in giving global exposure to Indian education. These schools have been instrumental in providing framework and footprint for school education in the 21st Century.

In a way, international schools have helped Indian education to have a benchmark that matches the best teaching and learning processes in the world. Our children now have the privilege to study world class curriculum like International Baccalaureate and Cambridge's IGCSE and Council of International. International schools are also helping in attracting foreign students in a big way to the city.

The globally mobile population, including the expats and NRIs find Bangalore an attractive destination to bring their children to the city and provide them schooling. Teaching profession is also getting a big boost, as these schools are attracting the best teachers from across the globe. Now our children have a platform where they can compete with the best of students at global level.

However, there are several challenges and questions international schools in the city are facing today. Are these schools able to live up to their reputation? And, is the exorbitant fee charged by these schools justified?

It is sad that there is lack of proper regulatory framework to monitor the mushrooming of international schools, at times leading to confusion. Moreover, these schools are also facing severe paucity of staff members, who are well versed in teaching pedagogy and methodology.

The rate of teacher attrition is also very high. Many real estate and big business houses are entering primary and secondary schooling, by building seven-star facilities with little or no knowledge of international schooling.

Traditional schools without proper know-how, staff and methodology masquerading as ‘international schools’, are diluting the ‘international school’ movement by fleecing gullible parents with exorbitant fees.

(The author is the chairperson Pupil Tree Foundation, which is working towards a vision of bridging the knowledge divide
between rural and urban India, by setting up 20 progressive schools by 2020 in  all districts of Karnataka)international school,