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Should children be educated at home or in school?
Home Schooling: The Right Choice?
Are parents really helping their children by teaching them at
home?
In most countries in the world, governments require children to attend
schools in which trained teachers are responsible for educating the children
using an approved curriculum. However a significant number of parents believe
that it is much better for their children to be educated at home by the people
who know them and their needs best. This essay will examine the question of home
schooling and discuss which the best option for the child is
An increasing number of parents are deciding that home schooling is the best
option for their children. They are unhappy with the quality or depth of
education offered in the schools, or have other reasons why they feel that
traditional schools are not suitable for their children. One reason is social
factors. Parents worry that their children will suffer from bullying or will be
forced into antisocial behavior by peer pressure. They believe that the good
behavior they have taught the child will be lost in school. Another reason is
concern over the quality of schooling available. Schools frequently have large
classes. They are often under-funded, and staffed by teachers without sufficient
knowledge of their subjects. Subjects such as the family’s religion or language
may not even be available in the school. Other parents may disagree with the
aims of the school curriculum, preferring for academic, social or cultural
reasons to keep their children separate. Finally, some children with special
needs may need particular parental care.
However, there are many arguments in favor of sending children to
conventional schools. The first is that the children will be exposed to other
children. These children may represent either a cross-section of society or a
narrow group, but in either case the children will interact with each other and
develop social skills. A second point is that the children will learn to
function outside the family. They will not be dependent on their parents for
their educational, emotional and social needs. A third point is that the
children will find it easier to integrate when they finish school, as they
eventually will, when they start work or college.
Overall, while many parents work hard to teach their children at home,
conventional schools are still the right choice for most children. Schools are
not perfect, but they seem to be a proven way of preparing our children for the
real world.
392 words
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