This is no doubt a lengthy subject however three things are most important in this regard:
1. One must recognize that guidance comes from Allaah alone, so, the parents should ask Allaah Subhanahu-wa-Ta'alaa to guide their children.
2. The parents must also understand that the more they themselves obey Allaah in their every day affair the more likely it is that they would please Allaah and He would answer their Du'aa for their
children and guide them. So, parents own actions, their obedience and submission to Allaah, and their refraining from all kind of evil has a very significant impact on their children life.
3. Education of children should begins from as early as two years of age. An example of what parents should teach them is in the statement of Luqmaan in the Quraan:
13.And (remember) when Luqmân said to his son when he was advising him: O my son! Join not in worship others with Allâh. Verily joining others in worship with Allâh is a great Zûlm (wrong) indeed..
14.And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years give thanks to Me and to your parents. Unto Me is the final destination..
15.But if they (both) strive with you to make you join in worship with Me others that of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not; but behave with them in the world kindly, and follow the path of him who turns to Me in repentance and in obedience. Then to Me will be your return, and I shall tell you what you used
to do..
16.O my son! If it be (anything) equal to the weight of a grain of mustard seed, and though it be in a rock, or in the heavens or in the earth, Allâh will bring it forth. Verily, Allâh is Subtle (in bringing out that grain), WellAware (of its place)..
17.O my son! AqimisSalât (perform AsSalât), enjoin (people) for AlMa`rûf (Islâmic Monotheism and all that is good), and forbid (people) from AlMunkar (i.e. disbelief in the Oneness of Allâh, polytheism of all kinds and all that is evil and bad), and bear with patience whatever befall you. Verily these are some of the important commandments ordered by Allâh with no exemption..
18.And turn not your face away from men with pride, nor walk in insolence through the earth. Verily, Allâh likes not any arrogant boaster..
19.And be moderate (or show no insolence) in your walking, and lower your voice. Verily, the harshest of all voices is the voice (braying) of the ass..Luqmaan
Really there are many lessons in these ayaat for both parents and children the detail is beyond the scope of this answer but it is clear that in his teaching to his son Luqman covered the beliefs, obligatory duties and manners and truly these are the most important aspects of teaching though it is common to see that many Muslims grow to an old age having learnt many things but still ignorant in these vital aspects of knowledge.
Some people think a boarding school is a substitute for good teaching. This is a mistake. The best place for children is with their parents as regard to learning, abode and protection.
Raising children as good Muslims is a duty of Muslim parents as this is the only way to save them from the fire of Hell. Allaah Subhanahu-wa-Ta'alaa orders us to protect our families:
O you who believe! Ward off from yourselves and your families a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones, over which are (appointed) angels stern (and) severe, who disobey not, (from executing) the Commands they receive from Allâh, and do what they are commanded..Al-Tahreem.6.
Therefore this responsibility is best served by parents themselves or under their supervision following the above guideline.
The matter is of course even more strict concerning girls. That they must stay inside their home under their parent's supervision.
It was narrated that Umm Humayd the wife of Abu Humayd al-Saa’idi came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and said, “O Messenger of Allaah, I like to pray with you.” He said, “I know that you like to pray with me, but your prayer in your room is better for you than your prayer in your courtyard and your prayer in your courtyard is better for you than your praying in your house, and your prayer in your house is better for you than your prayer in the mosque of your people, and your prayer in the mosque of your people is better for you than your prayer in my mosque.” So she issued orders that a prayer-place be prepared for her in the furthest and darkest part of her house, and she used to pray there until she met Allaah (i.e., died).” Narrated by Ahmad, 26550. classed as saheeh by Ibn Khuzaymah in his Saheeh.
So, if the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) advised a Muslim woman against going out for prayer and praying behind him in his masjid then it would be even more disliked for a Muslim young unmarried girl to go to a boarding school and living there far away from her parent's protection.
We ask Allaah to help and guide us to do all that He is pleased with and his Peace and blessings be upon His last Prophet Muhammad.
