Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Loose Children

School started two weeks ago. So why are there so many kids running around loose? Are they truant? Ill? Homeschooled?

Any more, the answer most likely is #3, homeschooled. So many people are doing this. Why? Do they think that teaching is so easy that anyone can do it? Are their children so special that the public school system just isn't for them? Do they object to the vestigial "sex ed" being taught in health class? Or do they want to replace science with superstition?

I may whine, moan and complain about the dismal quality of public education, class size, school overcrowding, bullying, lack of basic skills being taught, but it would never occur to me in a million years that I could do a better job! I KNOW that I could not. I can augment my child's education by insisting that he read. I can force him to read aloud. Yes, I can. And do. I can correct his spelling and grammar, and do. But I know perfectly well that I could not keep him up to community or state standards day in and day out, year in and year out. He might get ahead in reading, history and geography, but he would lag far behind in science and math.

What are they learning, riding all over town on skateboards? Coming into the Sangwidge Shop for lunch? Hanging out at the convenience store?

Nothing good, I'll be bound!

3 comments:

  1. I have friends living in Tanzania who have decided home school their children (2 boys). I believe it is going quite well for them, but they don't really have any other choice. Either that or boarding school.

    Apparently, they all seem to learn something new each day.

    Definitely not for me, though!

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  2. They really should be at home and studying during school hours.

    Seeing them roaming the streets does not seem like good discipline.

    I reckon the Mothers start to get lax after a while (if it is the Mothers teaching them).

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  3. There is a curfew on kids during school hours, here. Wandering the streets is in violation. Eventually, they will be caught.

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