Last month, I accompanied my boss to come to an international school in Surabaya. The headmistress invited us just to say that one of their students - who was also studying in our tuition center - always got 'F' for all subjects. She said that the boy could not concentrate himself in catching the lessons. The boy always played and played during class. He didn't enjoy the lessons at all. Even though the boy was in the fourth grade, he even couldn't do the basic calculation. To make it worse, his English was very poor. In fact, this boy was never serious in studying with us either. He came to our tuition center only two days in a week, two hours per coming. He should have come at least four days in a week and three and half hours per coming. After discussing the matter for thirty minutes, we came to a conclusion that this boy was a victim of his parents' ambition. The parents wanted to give their son the best education. However, an international school was not suitable for the boy. The parents also sent this poor boy to music class, swimming, and many more activities. Well, every body realizes that all parents want to give their children the best things including education. Unfortunately, some parents don't know what the best things to give are. Some may think that an international school is the best education for children. I don't mean to underestimate any kind of schools, national or international, but international schools are not always suitable for every child. Parents should consider the interest and ability of their children before sending the young people to a certain school. Parents must not send their children to a certain school just because the school is prestigious. (ds)
