Homeschooling in the Philippines

Good questions!    I plan to homeschool my baby daughter in a US based curriculum and program.  I haven’t considered the legal angle in the Philippines if this is even allowed.  I do know that the homeschooling programs offered in the Philippines are accredited and meet the legal requirements.  I may need to possibly enroll in two programs. 

Any other imput from anybody would be useful.

MinimalistJourneyman wrote:

Good questions!    I plan to homeschool my baby daughter in a US based curriculum and program.  I haven’t considered the legal angle in the Philippines if this is even allowed.  I do know that the homeschooling programs offered in the Philippines are accredited and meet the legal requirements.  I may need to possibly enroll in two programs. 

Any other imput from anybody would be useful.

Home schooling is legal in the Philippines according to the law I´m mentioning below. Brazil where i live is not with regards to Article 6 of the Federal Constitution of Brazil and if you were to engage in such activity is that to seek permission of a district judge with the jurisdiction of your area. The government of Bolsonaro has not yet proposed any legislative proceedings for that matter.

Homeschooling is legal in the Philippines based on article XIV, Section 1(2) of the Philippine Constitution, which states that the country will “Establish and maintain a system of free public education in the elementary and high school levels. Without limiting the natural right of parents to rear their children…”Jun 21, 2018

Sure you can tailor or even copy any curriculum that you so desire to satisfy your thirst for excellence in academia for your children. I don´t know the availability of didactic materials that would support a US style curriculum in the Philippines and if you were to import them, the financial repercussions and the bureaucratic hurdles in reference to time and procedural limits to acquire them.

Pros:

1. You limit stress that otherwise would submit your child at a public institution. Bullies are eliminated.
2. Environment conducive to learning is escalated along with family cohesion.
3. Education focused with maturity is enhanced as they learn to shoulder responsibilities early on like cleaning the instruction room; preparing their didactic materials for the day, etc.
4. You can tailor the curriculum in accordance with the needs of the times. Like more emphasis on math and science and even the addition of entrepreneurship at an early age. I would add at least enrollment at other schools for languages (at least 4 during the years) and also sports to have them the chance to socialize with other children and develop adeptness in public.
5. You can monitor their progress closeby.

Cons:

1. Child abuse is difficult to monitor for public reprimand.
2. You reinforce the idea of public education neglect by responsible govt agency.
3. You again reinforce the idea that teachers don´t have the required training and education to handle
the instruction with competence.
4. Children isolated could have effects on their social development for public interaction.
5. Workload and dedication to the instruction is demanding.

robal

Home schooling is a very specific challenge, and for the most part, better than most of the public and many of the private schools in the world, that is, if you can provide a comprehensive curriculum and maintain resolve with a dodgy bureaucratic system when you try to register your kids for home schooling. As well, it may be that what is true in one barangay may not be in another, or major differences may occur from one city's public system to another.

Some more features that may occur....
Almost any home schooling in the Phils will by far exceed the level of education received in the public schools unless the home 'teacher' - usually a mother or father or relative - is no better educated than the teachers in the public system. If a home 'teacher' has lived a full life and enjoy teaching (esp. their own kids), then they've much more to pass on to their kids than the average public teacher. As well, parents truly care about their kids' well-being, and will likely offer more than in the school system. But, and this could be big, parents will carry along their biases and saturate their kids with attitudes that may harm the child later in life.
At home, the boundaries might get blurred between school times and family times. This requires the parent to be super disciplined him or her self so that there is a division between the two?
A lot of stuff taught kids at schools is harmful to their development. They are being shaped by the system for the system's sake, and do not get a 'true' education at all, but one often slanted by equally under-developed adults and in the Phils, the predominant church system, even when both are sometimes bad and wrong.
I think you must register with the school authorities so that when your child passes grade or high school (if also done at home), they get a certificate that enables them to get into college. Not sure how it works in the Phils, but in some western countries, the home school must be registered with the local school board so that home-schooled kids actually graduate and can go on into whatever they choose later on.
Filipino teachers are usually poorly educated themselves, and will pass on things like lousy discipline (without strong firm admin leaders, some are hired without proper credentials (or credentials that mean nothing), and teachers may not show up for class on the flimsiest excuses), poor grammar, and horrid pronunciation of English words (even simple ones like 'mountain').
Grade or primary schools often allow parents to sit at the back of the class on a regular basis: this can hamper the teachers' plans for teaching class discipline, etc. This is a two-edged sword and I don't think the resources are available to oversee this in this country.
Anyone who wants to take it on will likely keep their kids out of social events that often happen in the public system on a regular basis. As well, what happens during recesses is often important for realistic life experience in one's teen and adult life. That means their socializing skills in a 'controlled' environment is missing, that can lead to underdevelopment psychologically (shyness, out-of-touch aggression, inability to connect with other kids at simple levels, etc.). Socializing with one's siblings is not the same as Johnny or Cindy on the school yard or in group events.
At home you likely won't need to shell out big money for a school uniform. This is an Asian thing, but in the 3rd world can keep a kid out of school because poor parents cannot afford the stupid thing! Makes no sense, but then, consider the context.

Gotta go.... hope this helps someone.
Daen

Thank you Daen you bring up many good points and it sounds like a realistic assessment.  I agree that the biggest concern is to offer a means for social interaction with one’s peers.  Music Schools, hobby and sports clubs and other activities must be arranged.  These outside organized  activities don’t seem as well established as in more development countries in the Philippines but they do exist.  Key I believe is to be proactive.

Okay here is my two cents. I am currently homeschooling my eldest son in a U.S. curriculum program because he desires to finish school in the United States. Because he is a dual citizen, he can opt to follow the U.S. rules on homeschooling. He did "private" schooling when he was younger and another few years of elementary at 5th, 6th grade level; and one at 7th grade.

I found out several years ago that the majority of private school teachers here are not certified nor are they required to be. Only public school teachers are certified by the Philippine national testing board. I have relatives and friends in high school that could do a better job of disseminating information to young students.

I do have other children that go to a private school, but it is quite expensive, according to Philippine standards, but the big plus is that the school does teach manners, integrity, and leadership principles. It is the only school that is truly a Montessori school. It's called Operation Brotherhood Montessori, but people refer to it as OB Montessori. OB also has their faults, but as you stated one must stay proactive in the their child's or children's education and if you do that, the administration and staff can work with you. I am not sure of your residence. I live in Angeles City, Pampanga, Luzon region. OB's main schools are in Manila and they have others for the underprivileged in other areas.

On to homeschooling, the program that I use is called CLASS (Christian Liberty Academy School System). It is run by Christian Liberty Academy in Napersville, Illinois. They have been doing homeschooling for about 50-60yrs. It started with missionaries and branched out to military service members, now there are an abundance of people that elect homeschooling their children. CLASS handles all of the administration of paperwork, keeping grades on daily work, exams, etc. The parent also has their job in the program by submitting test and homework, then mailing course material back to CLASS for record-keeping. There are no uniforms or all the extra stuff that one must purchase for schools here in the Philippines, but you will need the basics: paper, pens/pencils, ruler, etc.

There is so much information to give you so I better start with giving you a website address: www.homeschools.org

I started with a search for homeschooling in the Philippines and the United States. The Philippines was expensive and too many headaches with administration and dictating what the parent must teach and do. So I elected the U.S. homeschool program, which is much cheaper than even private institutions in the Philippines and many universities in the U.S. recognize homeschool programs. I am a Christian so it was either to select this program or shoot for another, but you have to do the "footwork" and decide your path. Also follow the educational guidelines of your state. If you are not religious and do not want your daughter to learn about that, then keep searching the homeschool networks online until you find something you desire. If you do not mind, then I would recommend CLASS. It will simplify all your needs for a young daughter.

Cons: We do not have music, physical education, or arts programs. That is a requirement that must be fulfilled by parent and child at high school level. CLASS is not concerned with younger children, 8th grade and below, but it helps if there is someone to nurture other activities.

My son does not have interaction with peers on a regular basis, but he has friends and relatives to enjoy himself. My daughter was sent to OB for this reason. She is very outgoing and has this explosive energy, but she knows that academics come first and foremost. She does have to put in a little extra work so that she will keep up with U.S. students because she also desires to finish school in the United States.

There are no chemistry and biology labs for what I thought was fun activities in high school, but there are kits that can be purchased to do activities [Also fun activities are given for young children at home]. But I will probably have my son go to community college and pick-up all the freshman and sophomore credits, in which all these tasks will given again, then transfer to a 4-yr university. It's cheaper and it's more hands on a 2-year college. I experienced both in my life time. It was a great benefit.

Lastly, It takes time from me because I am the educator, I know what is right and wrong, and I try to keep organized. I am also  a single father now. So I have to keep a tight schedule.

If you need to know more, just touch base. I would be glad to help

Thank you Alltojah!  Your nformation is hugely helpful.  My daughter is only five months old so I still have plenty of time.  I am especially encouraged that you are able to use a US based program...I was uncertain about whether that is permissible here. I too have already ascertained that the programs here seem unwieldy and are more expensive which was a big surprise.   I live in Cebu and they have a Singapore School and an International School... both very expensive.   But your very useful information and experience makes me feel a lot more comfortable to pursue this avenue. I’m not working so for me the opportunity to teach my child seems like a meaningful challenge.   Thanks again!.. and I might take you up on asking you more questions.  Jan-Peter

Sure any time...yes she has a long ways to go. Also they have online testing for placement of your child's specific subjects and you have the opportunity to alter/change the curriculum, if you feel it is too difficult or too easy. They have two different online test for placement.

I believe I started my daughter when she was 4yrs old with the kindergarten curriculum. She is much smarter than her older brother, but she did not have the common sense that her brother had and has. I was just fed up with how she was being taught, as well as my eldest son.

I looked at international schools, but they wanted an arm and leg for nothing (basically tuition and fees charged alone could put them through university for a 4-yr degree and the masters program). I was advised by both Filipino friends and Americans to not even bother. Those schools were all about prestige, not about actual learning or teaching.

There are some schools in various regions that are good, but they can be costly and one would have to live in the area for proximity sake.

Just send a message anytime. I know there is a way through this website to privately message each other.

Daniel

I see nothing wrong with home school if the child will leave the Philippines but if they are in an area that does not speak Tagalog they need to learn it if they will stay in the Philippines my son went to a private Catholic school from grade 4 to grade 12 he is in College now i ask about the qualifications of the teachers they all have to be certified same with the principal,his school has some of the best , as far as school in the USA IT sucks, I went to private school for 9 years than public 3

What school did your son attend, where all the teachers are required to be certified in the Philippines? Where do you live now?
I went to a private school also in the U.S. growing up and I was benefited immensely compared to public schools, but prices for private schools are very expensive compared to the time I grew up. The U.S. dollar went very far.