Education begins at home

It takes a great deal of courage to be unconventional, but latest trends in the education sector suggest that more and more sets of brave parents are emerging.

For the new breed of parents, family is their school. The practice of home education, which was being followed by very few people, is getting more attention now.

Though the concept of self education differs from person to person, the basic idea remains the same. It aims at guiding a child to pursue his calling.

As per need, one can choose from different kinds of alternative methods such as unschooling, nature schooling, alternate schooling, open schooling and homeschooling.

Though the trend is gaining momentum, a major chunk in society still believes that only kids with disabilities go for this.

“‘Is your child retarded?’ is the first question every parent who opt for alternative education faces. This is wrong. Our kids are in no way less than others. We are not sending them to school as we don’t believe in regular schooling, which is rigid,” says Anupama, mother of 6-year-old Nila, a budding artist.

Anupama and her husband had this idea in mind, but due to compulsion they sent Nila to school first. “She was not comfortable with the school atmosphere that imposed too much rules on her. She became dull and her talents were suppressed. That made us return to homeschooling,” says Anupama.

They had to confront many questions, but were determined. “We developed our own system for Nila. We teach her academic things, just like any other kid, at our home. If she wants to pursue higher education in future, we don’t want her to regret not getting basic education. But, we make sure that she gets enough time to explore her talents,” adds Anupama.

Actor Minon, who had never been to school in his life, says it is unfair to compare homeschooling with normal education. “If you ask me what I miss in life, I would say it is schooldays. If you ask the same question to a school-going boy, he would say he misses Minon’s life. Both have its advantages. What I believe is that education should be created for each person,” he says.

In the first 10 years, Minon’s parents took him to forests to show him life there. Little Minon celebrated those days and learnt what makes a better human being.

“Homeschooling enhanced my personality. It gave me the freedom to learn the subjects that interest me and involve in social activities. I started learning mythology first, later I moved to poems of Ayyappa Panickar. Now I study acting,” adds Minon.

According to John Baby, Minon’s father, it is individual freedom that shapes a person with free thoughts. “There is nothing wrong if a kid doesn’t study. But, if he learns wrongly, he will be of no use to society. To build up a sophisticated society, we need people with original, individual thoughts. In traditional schooling, we put all students in the same mould and shape similarly. So I chose homeschooling for my kids. I believe that children should learn with conscience,” he says. Minon’s sister Mintu, who is specialised in dance, also follows the same path of learning.

Seeing its positive sides, many parents such as Femina Farooq want to try alternative learning. “My kid is two years old now. When she grows up, I will send her to learn dance or music and choose homeschooling,” she says.

If you think that home schooling is easy, you are mistaken. Minon’s mother Mini says: “It is true that many parents want to do this. Many approach us to know about it. But, it is not an easy choice. You must be prepared to face questions society darts,” she says.

At the same time, Anupama says, all children don’t need to undergo homeschooling. “There are three kinds of children — those who have realised their talent, talented children but unaware of their potential and the third category is academically brilliant kids. The third category need not to do homeschooling,” she says.