THE Philippine educational system is generally described as conservative with two central players, the public-school system and private schools. It lacks autonomy and innovation characterized by rote learning and memorization.
Edric Mendoza, president of Homeschool Global (HG) said, homeschooling is a concept that has been around for some time. There were few resources that allowed Filipino parents to homeschool. The better materials had to be sourced from overseas and there was little or no academic guidance and support.
With homeschooling, Mendoza noted a parent can modify or individualize education that aims to harness a child’s talent. Mendoza said a child learns more when a teacher provides interesting lessons.
HG has a hub at The 30th Mall which hosts learning pods for portfolio reviews and consultations, big and small rooms for parent trainings and pocket talks, and for music and art classes.
In November 2016 HG established local offices in Baguio, Cebu and Dubai to help expand homeschooling. In 2018 hub expansion will continue in the Philippines and in strategic parts of the world. HG serves over 3,000 students across 30 countries, from preschool to high- school levels.
Mendoza, and his wife, Joy Tan-chi, are strong believers of homeschooling. They are the parents of five homeschooled children and are the major proponents of HG.
Mendoza said the core of homeschooling is parent-led because the parent will play the facilitator for the child. He said a parent must be fully supportive of their child’s learning to ensure it will be effective.
The former television host in ANC admitted he was initially hesitant about homeschooling, having been in traditional schools all his life.
“I think the biggest adjustment for me is just observing how the elements I learned and experienced from traditional schools were still being covered somehow at home,” he shared.
Mendoza and his wife were reluctant to send their eldest son Elijah to homeschool during his early years because they saw he was lacking in some things, like peer relationships and the academic challenge he might need.
“Because Joy couldn’t give learning stuff all the time, he learns things on his own. But then, at HG, we have clubs and family-learning communities where he could channel his energies. Then we realized there is nothing we regret,” Mendoza said.
“We really get to have a lot of flexibility. I love that about our choice. I really get to see my kids grow in an environment that is pretty much influenced by us so that brings enough positive adjustment,” he added.
Model, interior designer and mom of two, Mia Kauffman said homeschooling has allowed her child to learn better.
“When Alexa used to go to a conventional preschool, I felt uncomfortable that she was rushed almost every day when she woke up, ate breakfast, worked on something she was passionate about, and more,” she said.
“The routine of every day just felt unsuitable for us,” she added
Kauffman and her husband started considering homeschooling as an option “so our children could live through experiences and have more happiness and freedom to think, speak, grow, make mistakes, learn to be who they are, and to completely enjoy life.”
Kauffman said she was happy to find a partner in Homeschool Global.
“We are lucky to find a good and engaging curriculum that my kinesthetic children enjoy,” she said.
She added that homeschool is about learning through active living, adding it is a lovely experience watching her two daughters wake up naturally, without being rushed.
“We do things together at a relaxed pace. We are free to travel any time, together. Everything flows spontaneously. The opportunities for learning and for experiencing life are endless when you have your own time,” she beamed.
Joy herself was a product of homeschooling, and she has this advice for parents who are considering this learning track.
“I think every parent has to come to that point where they should ask themselves, ‘What is the goal of my parenting? What will be the goal of my child’s education? Because it has to be the starting point; it is not ‘my child is going to be in school. Where am I going to send them? What’s the best school out there?’”
She added that when parents know the end goal, then they say, “Okay. What steps do I need to take to get my child to that point?’