When you read school brochures, you will often see a number tucked
away among the facilities: “teacher-student ratio 1:25” or “1:20.” It
looks technical, and many parents skip past it. But the
teacher-student ratio is one of the most meaningful
measures of how much individual attention your child can expect.
This guide explains what the ratio means, why it matters, what good
numbers look like at different ages, and how to ask schools in Gunjur,
Varthur and Sarjapur for the real picture. It also covers the ratio that
M S Dhoni Global School (MSDGS) states on its website. For a broader
framework, see our checklist for
choosing a CBSE school.
What Does Teacher-Student
Ratio Mean?
The ratio compares the number of teachers with the number of
students. A ratio of 1:20 means one teacher for every 20 students. But
the number can be calculated in different ways, and the differences
matter.
School-wide ratio
This is the total number of students divided by the total number of
teachers in the school. It includes subject teachers, specialists,
coordinators and sometimes part-time staff. It gives an overall picture
but may not match what a child experiences in class.
Class-level ratio (class
size)
This is the number of students sitting in a classroom with one
teacher. This is the figure that most directly affects your child’s
day.
Adult-to-child ratio in
early years
In Nursery to UKG, many schools also have assistants or caregivers.
The ratio of all adults to children is a useful measure of supervision
and attention.
When you ask a school, be specific: “How many students will be in my
child’s class, and how many adults will be present?”
Why the Ratio Matters
More individual attention
In a smaller group, a teacher can notice when a child is confused,
shy, bored or upset. They can ask each child a question, check each
notebook and give personal feedback.
Better classroom management
With fewer children, teachers spend less time managing behaviour and
more time teaching. Activities that involve movement, discussion or
hands-on work are easier to run safely.
Stronger relationships
Children learn best from adults they know and trust. Smaller groups
make it easier for teachers to build those relationships.
Early identification of
difficulties
A teacher who knows each child well will spot learning difficulties,
hearing or vision problems, anxiety or friendship issues sooner.
Safety and supervision
Fewer children per adult means closer supervision in corridors,
playgrounds and buses.
Less need for outside
tuition
When children receive enough attention at school, families often feel
less need for extra classes. Read our guide, do CBSE students need
tuition?.
What Is a Good Ratio?
There is no single right number, but some general guidelines can
help.
| Stage | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Nursery to UKG | Smaller groups with more than one adult is ideal |
| Primary | Around 1:20 to 1:30 per class is common, lower is better |
| Middle and secondary | Subject teaching often involves larger groups, but access to teachers matters |
The CBSE affiliation bye-laws set norms on class size and teacher
numbers, and schools are expected to follow them. Parents can ask the
school how its numbers compare. The more important question is what the
experience looks like in practice.
The MSDGS Figure
The FAQ on the MSDGS website states that the school aims for one
teacher per 20 students (1:20). This is described as a goal, so it makes
sense to ask how it works in the specific class your child would join.
You can also ask how many teachers, assistants and specialists support
the class.
The school’s approach to learning is described as learner-oriented
and experiential, which tends to work better with moderate class sizes.
See CBSE and NEP 2020
explained for parents.
Ratio Is Not the Whole Story
A small class with an uninspiring teacher will not outperform a
larger class with a gifted one. Consider the ratio alongside:
- Teacher quality and training. MSDGS teachers train
through Microsoft’s educator pathway. Read Microsoft
Showcase School: what parents should know. - Teaching methods. Activity-based learning engages
children better than passive listening. - Classroom design. Space, furniture and resources
affect group work. - Support staff. Assistants, counsellors and special
educators add capacity. - Teacher workload. Teachers who are overloaded with
administration have less time for children. - Teacher retention. Stable staff know the school and
the children well.
Questions to Ask the School
- What is the maximum class size at my child’s grade?
- How many sections are there per grade?
- What is the actual number of students in the class my child would
join? - How many adults are in the room in the early years?
- How is the school-wide ratio calculated, and does it include
part-time staff? - How do you ensure each child gets individual attention?
- How much time do teachers have for planning and for meeting
parents? - How long have the current teachers been with the school?
Add these to your school visit question
list.
What to Observe in the
Classroom
If you can sit in on a class, watch for:
- How many children get a chance to speak
- Whether the teacher moves around the room and checks individual
work - How quickly the teacher notices a child who looks lost
- Whether children work in small groups or pairs
- The tone of the room: calm, curious, relaxed
Ratio and Fees
Smaller classes cost more to run, because the school needs more
teachers. When you compare fees, consider what you receive in return. A
slightly higher fee might be offset by better attention and less need
for outside coaching. See our guide on what to
compare in school fees.
How Parents Can
Maximise a Teacher’s Attention
Even in a good ratio, a little help from parents goes a long way.
- Share useful information about your child’s interests, worries and
learning style. - Reach out early if you notice a problem, using the school’s
communication channels. - Support routines at home so your child arrives ready to learn.
- Attend parent-teacher meetings.
- Respect the teacher’s time and communicate clearly.
MSDGS notes that teachers are available for consultation with a day’s
prior notice. Read the parent-teacher partnership
guide.
A Tale of Two Classrooms
Picture two Class 2 classrooms. In the first, forty children share
one teacher. The teacher is skilled and kind, but with so many children,
she can listen to only a handful during any lesson. A quiet child who is
quietly struggling with reading goes unnoticed for weeks. Group
activities are hard to manage, so most work is done individually,
copying from the board.
In the second, twenty children share one teacher. In a reading
activity, the teacher listens to each child for a minute, notes who
needs more practice and groups children for the next task. The quiet
child gets help within days. Group activities are easy to organise, so
children talk, build and share.
Both classes use the same textbook, but the experience is very
different. That is what the ratio makes possible. It does not guarantee
a better outcome, but it creates the conditions in which good teaching
can reach every child.
Ratio in the Early Years
In Nursery to UKG, ratio matters even more, because young children
need help with practical tasks such as using the toilet, washing hands
and putting on shoes, as well as with learning. Ask how many adults are
in the room and what their roles are. A calm class of fifteen with two
adults often works better than a class of twenty with one. MSDGS
includes a toddler play zone and a health-first routine in its early
years, and you can read more in the best preschool and nursery
in Gunjur.
Frequently Asked Questions
What
teacher-student ratio does MSDGS aim for?
The school’s FAQ states a ratio of 1 teacher per 20 students
(1:20).
Is a lower ratio always
better?
Generally, yes for attention, but teacher quality and teaching
methods matter just as much.
How can I check the
actual class size?
Ask the admissions office for the number of students in the class and
the number of adults present, and verify during your visit.
Does the ratio apply to
every grade?
The website does not break it down by grade. Ask for details for your
child’s grade.
See a Classroom in Action
The best way to understand the ratio is to see a class at work. Call
+91-7599507777 or +91-7599607777, or send an admission enquiry to arrange a visit to
M S Dhoni Global School.
