May 26, 2005

• Asia has a fledgling homeschooling movement and each country has its own challenges. As a homeschooler in Malaysia I was excited to read of  inroads made by pioneering homeschoolers elsewhere in Asia, and here’s a brief roundup gleaned from the net.  But first, a little about  Malaysia:
  
  Malaysia
  Malaysia’s compulsory education laws insist children 7 to 12 years remain in Primary School (unless officially exempted) so families who homeschool keep their heads low and do so quietly. But education is not compulsory in the Secondary Years (grades 7 and above) so that’s a consolation. Exemption is granted by the Ministry of Education on the following conditions:
  (a) a child is gifted and unable to fit in a typical grade in a regular school
  (b) a child is physically or intellectually challenged/disabled requiring special tutoring
  (c) a family is frequently abroad
  If and when exemption is granted (too few and too far in between) the national curriculum must be used while other materials are  supplementary.
  
  So how do homeschoolers get by here? We’ve had 2 national conventions, sport meets, junior toastmasters (public speaking) sessions, and more. You see, we just keep plugging on – for the family’s sake – and we’re having a fun time too.
  
  HOMEFRONT is a network of Christian homeschoolers that I lead (by default) and we have several support groups doing some interesting things throughout the country. Many members of Homefront are also involved in MALHEN (Malaysian Home Educators Network) an inclusive grouping that comprises homeschoolers from various faith communities.
  
  We have an excellent relationship and I am happy to report that firm friendships have developed from the many joint activities and socials through the years. Malaysian Home Educators Network is an offshoot of The Family Place, an online community for parents founded by friends KV and Wai Leng Soon. You can visit The Family Place here.
  
  Malaysia also has several church-sponsored Learning Centres (touted as Homeschool much to the chagrin of real at-home learners!) using various curricula, the most popular being Alpha Omega Publications.
  
  Singapore
  Education is compulsory up to Primary 6, but exemption to homeschool is written into the education act. Parents who wish to homeschool merely have to satisfy the following government requirements:
  (a)provide information on the curriculum and educational outcomes,
  (b)be instructed in the National Education programme, and
  (c)iindicate how a homeschooled child will participate in community involvement programmes.
  

  Homeschoolers also have to sit the Primary School Leaving Exams under the law. Check out the Education Ministry’s FAQs with reference to homeschool here. In the early 1990s some Singaporeans and expatriates started a Support Group and today the group lists almost 90 families. Visit the inclusive Singapore Home School Group here.
  

  
  

  Also TEACH ASIA, an international affiliate supplying ACE (School of Tomorrow) curriculum has a comprehensive site run by the offices of regional rep Randy (who made a presentation on ACE back at our first Homeschool Convention in 1999) and his wife.

  
  

  Thailand
  The Thai Constitution stipulates education reforms in its 8th National Education Development Plan authorising parents, temples, communities and other groups to provide partial or total education of their choice, including homeschool. Read the report here.

  
  

  While education choice is enshrined in the Constitution, approval to homeschool is another story. In one report dated March 2005, apparently only 2 out of 110 applications to homeschool have been approved.
  
  Youth With A Mission (YWAM) however has a homeschooling cooperative housed in the Family Learning Centre in Chiangrai mostly for its own missionaries. Attempts are now being made by a Roni Johnson to start a homeschool group. Read about it here.
  
  Japan
  The country has a growing number of homeschoolers (pioneered by Christians) registered with the non-profit Homeschool Support Association of Japan. The number of homeschooled children is estimated at 2,000 to 3,000 and rising. The number is large enough to support official publication of educational materials and alternative curriculum and HOSA’s colourful website in Japanese is found here.
  
  In Japan, attendance in officially recognised schools is often a key factor in gaining admission to preferred institutions of higher learning and homeschoolers do suffer great disadvantage. HOSA is working towards formal recognition although the education laws in Japan do not allow for homeschooling. Full story here.
  

  
  

  Other countries in Asia? 
  

  
  

  I’d be glad to hear from homeschoolers  in Philippines, Indonesia, Myanmar, Vietnam, and other countries I missed. I’m sure I didn’t get everything right here, and I believe there are stories out there that need telling. Anyone care to share?

  • 12:18 am
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