Homeschooling is something that has always had a vague reputation in the country. Some people perceive it to be something that’s only exclusive to rich families, while others focus on its supposed disadvantages—like kids not developing the right social skills and many more.
The truth is, teaching kids in a homeschool setting has its own set of perks. It’s an entirely acceptable form of learning if parents want a more customized program that focuses on specific aspects that they seem important for their child’s education. These types of programs, to be specific, are individualized curricula that are crafted to cater to the skills and intelligence of the student. When executed well, these programs can be an efficient, robust, and effective learning path for a child.
Thinking of homeschooling your kid but not sure if you’re making the right decision? We try to answer some of the most common questions about this learning style.
Is homeschooling legal in the country?
Yes, and that’s supported by our constitution. According to Article XIV Section 1(2) of the Philippine Constitution, the country shall “establish and maintain a system of free public education in the elementary and high school levels. Without limiting the natural right of parents to rear their children…” This means that guardians can pursue their private education for their kids should they want to, though the child has to be accredited by the Department of Education (DepEd) first if they want to enroll in a conventional school after.
Will my kids have zero records in DepEd if I choose to homeschool them?
It depends on the style of homeschooling that you will choose. Your kids will have a record if you employ DepEd-accredited learning institutions in the country to provide the homeschool lessons, or if you, as a parent, get accredited to homeschool your kids. These agencies file and provide all the paperwork for your child so they are good options to consider if you’re considering to transfer your children to a regular school down the road.
There are, however, other families that choose to follow their own learning curriculum for their children. If these kids choose to move to a brick-and-mortar school, they need to clear exams like the Accreditation and Equivalency Exam (A&E) of the Alternative Learning System or the Philippine Educational Placement Test (PEPT) from DepEd.
Homeschooling my kids is just like regular classroom teaching, right? You only do it at home.
Wrong. This is actually one of the biggest differences of homeschooling from a regular classroom set-up. Homeschooling does not limit students by following a classroom setting. Its very essence is that learning can happen anywhere, whether it be on the playground, local trips, or group sit-downs with other kids.
Does homeschooling cut off the chances of my kids to socialize?
Ah, the most popular homeschooling myth of all time. Many people have the misconception that following this learning arrangement is equivalent to botching up the prospects of your kids to socialize, but this couldn’t be any more wrong.
In fact, children in homeschool settings have more chances of being exposed to a wider range of crowds because they get to interact with people who are older and younger than them as well as peers of the same age. This is because homeschooling follows non-traditional classroom settings which have a tendency of being homogenous and repetitive. When you homeschool your kids, you open them to other socialization and learning activities that are not usually explored well in a regular classroom set-up.
Do homeschooled kids get the right type of education they need to be a functional member of society?
Yes, but this will be dependent on the curriculum you follow and how well you will execute the teaching. A lot of parents have the misconception that homeschooling is much less serious and focused than regular classroom teaching, but this couldn’t be any more wrong. For example, classroom set-ups follow a curriculum that is not tailored specifically to every child’s skills and learning pace. Getting homeschooled, on the other hand, means you zoom in on your child’s particular education needs.
Homeschooling may still not be a mainstream option for many, but it does have its own set of strengths over regular classroom education. The key, however, is to make sure that you get a good homeschooling provider for your children. Learning Links Academy is a good example of an experienced educational institution that focuses on customized learning programs. The school offers a full home study program and a mix of regular and home study education. Want to learn more about them? You can reach out to us through this email.
Learning Links promotes meaningful education and personal growth to help find what students really want for their careers and lives!
Click on the button below to find out how we make great education possible.
