As part of our English lessons, we have been reading the book Skellig, by David Almond. One of the characters is homeschooled and we debated the advantages and disadvantages of both types of education - Schooling and Homescholing. Here is one pupil's thoughts.
Homeschooling - Disadvantages
It is vital that your child learns how to socialise and interact with other children. It is also important that they learn to stick up for themself. If your child doesn’t have any friends they might start to feel lonely and isolated.
However, socialising isn’t the only important thing. Since your child will always be at home, you will need to hire a babysitter and if you’re busy and not up to teaching your child yourself, you will also need to hire a tutor. Homeschooling can absorb a substantial amount of the parent’s time.
Financial restrictions may also be a problem. In order for one person to remain home as a teacher, a parent may have to give up their job, reducing the family income. Books and other resources might be expensive and the family might not have enough money to pay for everything. Parents may have misconceptions or misunderstandings about a certain subject and pass it on to their children.
Homeschooling - Advantages
You have control of curriculum. Depending upon the state, you can decide the subjects upon which your child can focus and how long the child spends studying that subject is up to your judgment and your child’s capability.
You can also control your child’s diet. There won’t be any cafeteria food or switching food when children are not supposed to do so.
You do not have to worry about social pressure and bullying won’t be an issue. Lessons can start whenever you and your child feel like it. You can study wherever and whenever you want and alter the timetables accordingly.
Schooling - Disadvantages
Your child might get bullied, causing them to have low self-esteem and confidence. Peer pressure might be an issue. Long lessons might not fit some children, causing them to lose interest and concentration. School uniforms might be uncomfortable and expensive, causing your child to itch and fidget.
Schooling - Advantages
Your child will be surrounded by children around their age and will probably make friends. Bullying might occur but they will learn to stick up for themself. They will have teachers to help them and friends to play with. Your child will learn how to share with others, they will have more empathy, they will slowly adjust to the environment and learn how to interact with others.
Ada, Year 6
