Home schooling produces achievers
Manila, Philippines - While the country scrambles to fill the gap between the number of students going to school this June and the available classrooms that can accommodate them, there are actually families discovering the joys and freedom of learning without the classroom.
These families have made their very own homes a prime education option. Their children, who are products of homeschooling, are reaping the benefits of learning from home, as exemplified by one of the top five in Junior Master Chef Pinoy Edition, Louise Mabulo, child genius Darrell Tan, and cum laude graduate and basketball cager Paul Tan-Chi. These individuals are just some of the proofs of the efficacy of homeschooling, which is now being aggressively promoted by the Homeschool Association of the Philippine Islands (HAPI).
The organization, composed of homeschooling families, students, and home education resource providers working with the Department of Education (DepEd), recently staged the 4th Homeschooling Conference with the theme “Laying a Strong Foundation,” underscoring the importance of homeschooling as a transformative force in nation-building.
“The homeschooling movement has been gaining ground in the last four years. In fact, the current number of students who have availed themselves of homeschooling education has gone up to 5,000,” notes HAPI chairman Edric Mendoza. “This figure still does not include independent homeschooling families who are not connected with resource providers but may seek DepEd validation through testings.”
For the first time in the history of the homeschooling conference, a DepEd representative in the person of Assistant Secretary Tonisito Umali, was in attendance to share the bureau’s insight on the benefit of homeschooling. “Even in a regular classroom setup, there is still a need to reinforce what the teacher has taught,” said Umali. “The inherent advantage of homeschooling is the one-on-one teaching provided by the parent.”
Bo Sanchez, book author and inspirational speaker, expounded on how homeschooling serves as an undeniable means “to express love for our children.” Emphasizing the centrality of the parent-and-child relationship in building character, he said, “It is not education that will give our children worth, it is we the parents.”
“Human beings are designed to learn using the five senses and the home provides the optimal venue for children to learn best,” said keynote speaker Debra Bell, author of award-winning books such as Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling.
The homeschooling system allows parents to take back what they have been delegating to schools. By giving them the primary responsibility of teaching their children, parents are empowered to offer the very best methods of learning possible.
Another benefit that homeschooling provides is a relaxed, nurturing learning environment that is more attuned to the student’s personality. Whereas schools tend to cater to the “class average,” homeschooling can be tailored to the needs and wants of the individual learner. With this, parents are able to focus on their child’s unique gifts and develop them to their full potential.
Think of people like Christopher Paolini, best-selling author of the fantasy series Eragon. Or Tim Tebow, star quarterback in the US National Football League (NFL) and the first college sophomore to win the Heisman trophy at the age of 20, and American Idol Season 11 finalist and diva-in-the-making Jessica Sanchez. All of them are homeschooled individuals who have excelled in their respective fields apart from getting the necessary academic knowledge.
