Read a newspaper article the yesterday about a eight-year-old Singaporean boy being schooled at home by this father. He has one classmate: his brother Marc, aged six. Their father decided to homeschool them because he felt mainstream schools would stifle their creativity. He doesnt believe a science lesson starts only when the teacher is in the classroom. Teaching them himself gives flexibility in the process, environment and experience.

Few points that got me thinking:

1) Hmm...if lets say, all parents in the future decide to homeschool their children, will teachers be out of jobs? I dont think that will happen la actually..just what if? haha..

2) Are you sure that home schooling is better than studying in a school? I mean how about personal experience with friends, people your age group? And are you sure you have all the equipment and materials for teaching them?

One of the major experiences I have whilst studying in school other than what I have learnt academically is making new friends, having fun with them and enjoying other extra-curricular activities like sports, participating in clubs and societies and the occasional fiestas, youth days, celebrations, camps, prom...you know...the extra fun stuff.

3) Our local schools stifle creativity? I thought the government and the current schools' curriculum are trying to address the issue on creativity. Should be better now right? NO?

4) I know of a few friends so far that wants their future children to go overseas and study instead of studying in local schools coz apparantly our schooling system "stifle creativity", too competitive, too rigid, too stressful and "you cant get the best schooling experience in Singapore."

Hmm...which reminds me that Cherron (my neighbour's kid) is in K2 and I saw his Chinese Spelling or "Ting Xie" the other day and one of the words he has to learn is "Di Tie" or MRT/train in chinese...

SO CHEEM!!! K2 only leh...I think last time I only learn that word in Pri School?..so fast K2 and "Di Tie" liao? hmm..stressful leh..

Conclusion to myself: The local schooling system is definately getting more advanced now with kids learning more things at a younger age. Since I may not have the money to send them to overseas education, or migrate overseas...I am basically stuck in Singapore. It is definately going to be more stressful with the advancing curriculum and standard of living to provide for the kids.

Academically, parents should be involved in their children's school subjects. Coupled with what they have learnt from the trained teachers in school, extra teaching or tuition at home can provide them with extra insight or outside-classroom experiences.

Additional article I saw on the web...hmm...think this is more common overseas compared to Singapore where most parents are quite "kiasu" so I think they rather send their kids to local schools.

"It is said that a good quality education is one of the best legacies a parent can bestow on his or her children. Now, with non- traditional methods of learning such as home schooling programs, you can assure your child or children of quality education without the debilitating costs of exorbitant sending them to good private schools.

Also, most public school educational systems does not allow for customization of teaching styles to cater to your child or children's needs as well as foster an environment for learning that is best suited for your child or children. For these reasons, non traditional home schooling education is gaining popularity and perhaps it won't be long before this non traditional method will be considered mainstream.

In the meantime though, it is in your best interest as a parent to ensure that the quality of education that you bring to your child or children through home schooling is at par or even better than traditional methods he or she can experience in a classroom setting.

For this purpose you must equip your child in proper education, taking in consideration that there are certain levels that your child must reach in terms of learning to be able to qualify for good a college or university in case your child wants to continue pursuing higher education after earning a high school degree.

To achieve this, you might want to consider incorporating a certified web based curriculum for your child or children to ensure that he or she can achieve a good result for a high school degree.

Citizen's High School is a good alternative to traditional schooling for your child or children. This web-based institution provides quality learning programs for your child to earn an actual high school diploma, not a more than a GED. Their accredited high school program will allow your child or children to earn a high school degree without losing the flexibility and freedom afforded by a home schooling system. Furthermore, they offer a cost-effective way to achieve all this.

Keystone High is more than the usual online school because Keystone has solid experience working with parents and children from a home schooling background. In fact, the backbone of Keystone is the fact that it was formed to actually supplement home schooling programs specifically aimed for better education for a parent's high schooler.

Keystone does not want to take away or take the role of the parent-teacher in the home schooling program. Instead they are there as allies to lend a professional service to ensure that your child or children get the most out of a home schooling program for high school level individuals."