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Should Home Schooling be the New Normal?

Composition Notebook

Should Home Schooling be the New Normal?

School will be back in session soon. Are you a parent considering home schooling your child? With the things happening around the world, it seems rational to think about keeping the kids at home to complete their education.

Home schooling gives parents some autonomy when it comes to what their children are learning. Is it easy? Is it for everyone? Should it be the “new normal”.

Education has changed, post covid 19. Remote learning has been implemented more frequently. Some school systems have moved more towards a hybrid learning experience. Both in-person education and remote learning.

Home schooling may look more appealing to some parents who are concerned for their children’s safety. Safety from violence of other students, teacher-student conflicts, bullying and school shootings. Home schooling may be the best option for some families. Unfortunately, it will not work for everyone.

In the working age and rising inflation, parents need to work full time, outside of the home. With growing violence in schools and some states allowing teachers to carry firearms, poses a lot of risks. As a parent, how would you feel letting your child go to school knowing that the teachers are carrying a firearm?

Benefits of Home Schooling

  • Safety from violent acts at school
  • More control of what children are learning
  • Protection from bullying
  • More conducive environment for the child to learn
  • Eliminates busing across town for some students
  • Flexibility with school and life balance

Home schooling cons

  • Lack of social skills for students
  • Decreased opportunity to form friendships with their peers
  • Limited or no access to extracurricular activities; arts, sports, clubs

What is a parent to do? Parents should not have to contemplate whether or not to send their child to school. Or decide how to plan for their child(ren) to receive very basic education.

On the other side of the coin, a part of the problem is disrespectful children. Respect for authority is gone. Children are so brazen and will challenge an adult without a second thought. Some kids these days are armed with weapons themselves.

Teachers nowadays feel vulnerable and question their personal safety. A possible solution is a less lethal one. Instead of firearms maybe carry a taser. This way teachers and school authorities can defend themselves without deadly consequences. Firearms and schools just are not a good mix.

We cannot protect ourselves or our children from everything. What do you feel is a solution?

As always, thank you for reading. Stay well and be blessed.

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Are Institutes of Higher Learning a Racket?

Are Institutes of Higher Learning a Racket?

Getting an education is something that most people strive for. It helps us in life to advance our learning and get a degree in a specialized area of interest. Both short and long term programs are available. You can taylor it to fit your lifestyle. Obtaining a degree will definitely boost your income, give you bragging rights and open up professional opportunities.

The question remains about how to pay for this education. No matter if you choose to attend a community college or Ivy League school, they all cost something. Sure, you can apply for grants and obtain loans to help with funding.

Some people invest 4 or more years in these institutes of higher learning and spend twice that time repaying those loans. To only discover, after completing their studies, they cannot find jobs in their area of study. Tuition is only increasing. Who stands to gain from this: the colleges.

Image by Cari Dobbins from Pixabay

Worth it or not?

Are these schools ripping people off? The short answer is, yes.

Don’t get me wrong, discouraging people from furthering their education is not what I am suggesting. I’m just saying that some of these schools charge astronomical amounts of money and students end up paying off loans for years after their schooling is finished. What kind of reward is that.

What do you say to someone who wants to pursue a degree program or a trade? Do you encourage them to go for their dreams or do you caution them to pursue other avenues?

Career opportunities may be limited without a degree. On the other hand, there are people who do very well financially, and they have not gone to college. Are institutes of higher learning a racket? It is possible to be successful without attending college and make a good living.

How do you feel about it?