The ABC of home schooling

By TRICIA WANJALA

Many parents complain about the current education system in Kenya. They runt about there being no time to play, the culture of cramming, overcrowded classes, thanks to free-primary education and even exorbitant fees in privcate schools.

"My child is in a Montessori school, and I pay close to Sh57,000 per term. He is only 3 years old," laments one father.

Rather than simply complain, some parents have decided to take matters into their own hands and address the issue of their children’s education.

These parents believe that as the child’s primary caregivers, they are the best suited to educate them. However, most of the people that Woma’n Instinct talked to declined to reveal their identity because there is still the notion that home schooling is illegal in Kenya.

Punitive system

Allison Wangu, a mother of three, explains why she believes this mode of education is best for her family: "My Son went to pre-unit at the age of five. He would leave the house at 6.30am in order to make it by 7.30am to school. By the time he got home at 3.15pm it was so late that between eating, doing his homework and going to bed early, we had no time for interacting with him. I also reasoned that at age five, surely learning should be fun."

Home schooling networks

How does home schooling work? Elizabeth Telewa, a veteran home schooler in Kenya explains: "Each family decides on the curriculum they will use and the pace at which they will educate their children. Several home schooling groups form support systems called co-ops. We get together once a week and engage in activities that require a group setting, such as field trips, sports and arts and crafts." In doing so, the home-schooled children acquire socialisation skills from being among their peers, while their parents enjoy being part of a network that encourages them.

Critics of the system question whether parents are qualified to be teachers.

According to the Home School Foundation, "The concept of educating children at home was practiced in Africa traditionally since the beginning of time. However, after the colonisation of Africa and subsequent introduction of Western lifestyle and philosophy, that concept was lost."

Indeed one advantage of home schooling is its emphasis on producing all-rounded children.

One father pointed out that the current education system is skewed in favour of the sciences. He said: "We can’t all be engineers, can we? What about those who are gifted in the arts? This system will constantly make them feel inadequate."

Home-schooled children are encouraged to express their creativity and to become confident and articulate individuals.

Elizabeth, mentioned earlier, says: "In order to manage large numbers of children, schools divide them into classes according to age. With home-schooling, children of different ages learn together."

She says the children become used to interacting with adults and children of various ages so they are able to hold a conversation with anyone.

It also helps them become much more independent and responsible at a young age.

Well-rounded children

When asked about the disadvantages of home schooling, Mary, who has home-schooled her three children from infancy says they are negligible.

She says: "I’m hard-pressed to come up with any. Our children are well-rounded and have a realistic view of life; we can set our own schedule and we actually teach our children, whereas in school all they’re concerned with is making sure the children pass the exams. When you make learning fun and if you’re relaxed about it, they enjoy it more, and learn better."

Her children are aged between 10 and 15, and the eldest could read by the age of three.

Effort, energy and dedication

In some cases, when parents lack the self-discipline, commitment and stamina to follow through, the children have suffered.

However, Sharon Oyugi, who home-schooled her son, Nathan, through his secondary education, says: "It took so much effort, energy and dedication. I would not recommend anyone home-schooling unless they plan to keep a strict schedule. It was tough at times to make Nathan adhere to the schedule, but for his last three years we had some tutors to assist us."

In addition to co-ops or support groups, home schooling tutors are available.

Rhoda Ogengo, of Little Me Kindergarten in Langata, also runs an assisted home-schooling extension program.

Rhoda says: "We teach children up to Standard Three using techniques gleaned from different curricula. I have over 20 years experience teaching and I am familiar with the Waldorf, Montessori, American, British and 8-4-4 systems. We prepare the child for whichever school system or exam they plan to take."

Although home schooling in Kenya began as the preserve of expatriates and church missionaries, it has currently opened up to encompass hundreds of Kenyan families.

Debbie Stevens, a missionary, opened East Africa Homeschooling Resource Centre on Thika Road, Nairobi.

Debbie home schooled her daughter and son through high school, She says: "Currently we have a long waiting list of parents at the resource centre."

Elimu Nyumbani is another resource centre, founded by Mary Muriuki, a Kenyan home schooler who along with her husband has trained over 200 people in home schooling.

She also published the book in 2004, Homeschooling my child in Kenya.

Yet another support group called Home School Services was recently instituted to provide additional guidance.