From Homeschooling to Schooling Other Kids

Parents would always want to send their children to the best school that they believe would offer the best education for their children. But will the best and most expensive school understand and adapt to the uniqueness of every child?

I have three kids and they are all different. While my two other kids can adapt to the system of a formal school, my eldest son is already having difficulty understanding how the Philippine school system works. It simply does not fit him.

Instead of blaming him, the school system, or myself, I tried to understand and support him the best way I could. This led me to consult him of the possibility of homeschooling again.

The Consultation Process

Years ago, I tried the home study program when Tala, my eldest son, was in Grade III. We had a lot of difficult experiences then. I couldn't get him to focus and finish all the work. Because I am his mother, making excuses and shouting at me had been very easy for him. We were in the hate-peace cycle for over seven months. When I got a job in a call center, I had to hire a private tutor so he would finish the home study course.

He went back to school (formal school, I mean) after a year of studying at home. He was not the studious type, though he only missed his classes when he was sick. In Grade VI, his grades consistently registered just above the passing mark (line of 7 in our grading system).

Then we talked about homeshooling. He agreed.

Visualizing the Solution

How will I go about the process of secondary homeschooling this time? This was a question that I tried to solve through mental programming, that is, visualizing Tala in a learning system that would fit my design. The program was registed in the invisible and materialized with the discovery of an open high school in our town which is on its first year of implementation. Remember that DepEd (Department of Education) does not recognize home study program here in the Philippines. So any parent who is on the home study track has to do some tweaks for school records purposes.

The open high school, however, is a DepEd program that primarily aims to save several dropouts in the country. It is on the pilot stage and is called the EASE program or Easy and Affordable Secondary Education. I enrolled my son who only goes to class every Saturday. They are given modules in all subjects which they read, study and answer at home.

Some Inspiring Changes

His classmates are all school dropouts due to poverty. They are all overage students making my son the youngest (regular age for first year high school). He is not having the same fun like when he was in private school with some rich brat boys in town; but the experience is already giving him a lot of lessons.

He is now developing independence in studying. He would study in front of the computer googling for answers in his pre-tests. We start the day with physical exercises and the one-minute Super Brain Yoga I taught him. Sometimes he would complain of invoking for the angels' guidance but he is learning the power of prayer more.

We also have struggles at times, but it rarely happens (maybe once a week compared to our previous record of multiple times a day!). We both have learned how to let go of his anger. I would just remain silent, continue my work; while he would stay in his room or go out. After a few hours, he'd come near me and would start asking what to do next with the lessons.

The Beautiful Flower Unfolds

Last week, we did a coin bank intended for tithing and savings. This early, he is learning the value of tithing 10% of his allowance for humanitarian purposes. He is saving a lot (because he has minimal expenses at home where food is always accessible). His siblings are following suit.

Tala and I are now working on finding 20 kids for the open high school. We are inviting friends to sponsor one of these kids to shoulder the expenses on transportation, food, modules and honorarium of teachers. It would actually only cost you P1500 a month. You can also opt to give less than or more than that amount. As for Tala and the kids, their tithe will go to that purpose. I am also alloting 10% of my income for those kids.

If you also know anyone (your maid or neighbor, Silang area) who has not been into first year high school, please refer them to us. You wouldn't want your maid to remain maid for life, right? This is the best thing that you can do for them.