Homeschooling: How to Choose a Program for your Child

Do you have the right reasons for educating your child?

According to Genevieve V. Rivadelo, executive director of Alternative Learning Resources School (ALRES) and chair of the Special Education department at Miriam College, homeschooling “is a very good alternative for a child. One of the greatest benefits is the bond within the family. The child becomes more secure.” This is not to say that she endorses “helicopter parenting” - a term coined from the burgeoning literature on parenting. It refers to parents who “over-parent” or “hyper-parent” by hovering over their children in all their activities. 

Rivadelo observes that sometimes, a parent may choose to homeschool simply to protect their child from harm and from peer ridicule. “The goal of education is not to protect a child from harm,” opines Rivadelo. “Its goal is to empower a child to protect himself and live in the real world where both negative and positive situations may be encountered.” 

Dr. Dimalanta agrees,” Parents should find a balance. If homeschooling is used as a cocoon to keep kids safe and sheltered, how are kids being prepared for the real world?” Parents need to evaluate if they are choosing their child’s education for their child’s sake or for their own sake. 

What does it financially cost to homeschool?

 In the U.S., a homeschooling household spends only 40 percent of what the U.S. government spends for public school per year, per child.  

• For Vicky, the savings generated by homeschooling is enough to send off the family on a yearly vacation outside of the country. “Aside from this, you can re-use some of the materials you’ve purchased for an older child and pass them on to her siblings. This adds to your savings as a family.”

• For Bev, the expense involved for homeschooling her brood of three is just P15,000 for a one-time registration for all her kids: P3,000 per child for tuition fee and P10,800 per child for colored activity books (activity book prices may vary according to the child’s level). She adds that multiple intelligences school tuition fees can be as high as P90,000 per child, per year.