Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Schooling Versus Home Education

On Sunday, while reading the paper, I chanced upon some parents who had decided not to admit their children to school - they preferred educating their children at home. Schools are too disciplined, they create too much pressure on the children, we can teach them a lot more at home etc.

I don't dispute the fact that these parents may be able to do a much better job on teaching their children than the teachers. So much attention focused on one student! But does that give parents the right to deny children the access to a social support support? A school is the best place for a child to learn the ways of the world and teaches the child to interact in a social setting. Independence, friendships, first crushes, fights, outings, discipline and what not, don't deny these to your children!

3 comments:

Archana Narayan said...

Rash, definitely agree. School is not only about the academics, it teaches so much more... sharing, how to fight your own battles, what kind of people are out there and how to tackle them, to understand yourself better, personality development....

Schools play a major role in person you become in the future.

Geeta Bose said...

Rash, it's actually a very interesting idea. If the parents can take up the responsibility of teaching at home, am sure they can do a great job than most schools do.

But yes, parents must figure out parallel social networking options for the kids as well; then nothing like it.

Wish I had the time for this!!

Rashmi said...

Don't really agree Geeta. I think even if parents have all the time in the world, it is not fair on the kids to keep them away from school.

The starting age for school and type of school can be debatable but I think home education is an option that over-protective parents consider to shield their children from the big bad world :-)