Children going on holidays with parents abroad are passe. Schools are now taking them to interesting locales during holidays.
Accompanied by one or two teachers and a tour operator, students go to destinations like Vietnam, Disney Park,NASAor a well-known American university.
"Going with classmates and teachers will be an altogether different experience for children. Also, the trips have more of an educational tone and are not just aboutentertainmentand shopping. We have been conducting such tours since last two years and it is hugely popular. We intend to make it a regular feature during holidays as it ensures that students don't miss classes," said Choice School principal Molly Cyril.Last year, the school had taken students of classes IX to XI to Vietnam and the students were told about the place and its history, including theVietnam war, before the trip.
Schools reveal that the students will have to shell out money, which may vary from Rs 1 lakh to 2 lakh for the trip just like in domestic picnics. "Not every student can afford it. But those who can do have an exposure to the globalized world. They also learn new and important lessons, besides getting to see new places," said Christhujayanthi Public School principal Saji Varghese. The school had taken students to the Columbus State University,Atlantaand Georgia last year.
Tour operators reveal that in the past few months, they have got several inquiries from schools eager to take students abroad for academic excursion. "This is a new kind of operation from Kerala, where now schools are mixing academics with entrainment and fun during holidays. We found that even parents encourage kids to go on such trips," said Saji Kurian, general manager, Riya Tours and Travels, which has organised a trip to NASA for students of Global Public School.
"Such trips were common amongst schools in Chennai. The trend is slowly picking up here and is set to get popular," said Joy Peter, director (Operations), Intersight Holidays.
Source: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-03-27/kochi/38069151_1_students-schools-classmates-and-teachers