Feature

KIS disseminates balanced education for global citizenship

Sohel Mahmud Sagar

KODAIKANAL International School (KIS), a multicultural institute is situated down south in Tamil Nadu, a state in India. Unlike many other schools, KIS observes a wide range of events for students to show off their talents. It conducts a good number of interesting, competitive, cultural and exciting activities for the students. The school offers a huge opportunity for interaction of different cultures and traditions through its wide variety of students. Kodaikanal International School is located at 7,000 feet from the sea level and is situated in the Palani Hills of South India. Because of the altitude of these beautiful mountains the only way to reach this school is by either of the two “ghat” roads. One ghat road comes from Coimbatore, the other from either Madurai or Kodaikanal Road. KIS combines an ambitious academic program and a rich range of extracurricular activities framework that draws on a variety of cultures and it disseminates balanced education for global citizenship.

KIS is in a region renowned for its rugged beauty, cool climate and peaceful surroundings. Established in 1901 KIS is an autonomous, Christian, multicultural, residential school with a co-educational program for pre-school to Grade 12 students, coordinated in Elementary, Middle and High School programs. Full boarding students are accepted from Grades 4 to 12.

KIS has been runing a strong outdoor and environmental education program since 1987. In 1994 a wilderness campus was created for use during the extensive hiking and camping programs being offered. All of its graduating students enter colleges and universities worldwide. As the first school in India to offer the IB, KIS has developed a high level of expertise, which is reflected in its examination results. KIS is a residential school with a broad college oriented curriculum.

KIS graduates consistently achieve higher results than world mean scores in IB Diploma and SAT exams. 100% of KIS students who apply to colleges and universities worldwide, gain entry. KIS High School Diploma is accredited by the US Middle States Association of Colleges & Schools and recognized by the Association of Indian Universities, Delhi, since 1981, allowing KIS students to enter Indian universities directly.

The extra-curricular activities offered at KIS include a music program recognized as one of the leading programs in India. Individual instruction is offered in both Western and Indian music. The music department arranges numerous concerts and recitals throughout the academic year at school and in national locations. KIS is a testing centre for the Royal School of Music (RSM) examinations and annually they are able to select some six students to attend the Association for Music in International Schools (AMIS) music festivals. AMIS is dedicated to the promotion of excellence in all levels of music education.

Service and community involvement are essential aspects of the KIS experience. KIS curriculum includes emphasis on the responsibility of all students and staff for the society in which they live. This emphasis is embodied in a strong social experience program with classes targeted at social and environmental concerns, and the integration of field work and service opportunities. Out-of-station field trips are held once a year during which time students become involved in numerous projects ranging from observing life in a spice plantation to renovating daycare centers in rural communities.

The KIS hiking program offers the best of Kodaikanal and the Palani Hills: the views, waterfalls, wildlife and jungles are all beyond the confines of the school campus and town thus providing students with a spectacular opportunity to take a break from class, have good exercise and enjoy a change of pace.

KIS has an international faculty represented by teachers from Australia, Bhutan, Canada, England, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Korea, Netherlands, Philippines, New Zealand, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Tibet, UK and USA. Advanced degrees are held by a majority of the faculty. The overall student to teacher ratio is approximately 8 to 1.

In conclusion, it can be said that such a boarding school has a lot of facilities that make it unique. The interaction between cultures and traditions is one thing that is crucial for a child's growth and development. Their understanding and knowledge of the world is so much more from interacting with mates rather than sitting in a classroom. Children not only need education, but interaction between themselves so they get to know what the lives of others are and how they deal with it. It gives them a chance to be practical and to put their education in good use.

KIS offers International Baccalaureate and American curricula to around 600 students from about 36 countries. There are about 12-15 students who are from Bangladesh. KIS needs more students, perhaps you should get this opportunity to be in such a wonderful school. KIS Admissions are currently accepting applications for the next academic year, July 2009.

The KIS recruitment team will be here in Dhaka on Friday 7 November 2008 at 5:00pm in the Jalsha, Level 3, Hotel Sarina, 27 Banani C/A, Road 17. Being an invitee, I along with my family am going to attend the very special occasion and would like to draw attention of all prospective families and interested persons to attend this information reception. You can contact Mrs. Sylvia Faddegon, Admissions Coordinator, admissions@kis.in for further information.

(The writer is a parent of a KIS student, sagar6453@dhaka.net)