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What Are Your Homeschooling Options In The Philippines?

Homeschooling is a concept that hasn’t really gained much attention in the Philippines as of late. Many perceived it as an educational program only for the rich and affluent, and in the Philippines, that’s usually the case. The traditional schooling system has been a way of life for Filipinos, that is why homeschooling isn’t usually an option for the average Juan. 

The Department of Education (DepEd) has identified homeschooling as an education format that isn’t for everyone. Other than the cost, the parent’s role in carrying out this type of education set-up for their children is massive. But with the pandemic limiting the physical interaction in the society and posing a risk to the old normal way of life, homeschooling has become more appealing to many now,  more than ever. 

How does homeschooling work?

One might argue that homeschooling can’t really provide an optimum standard of teaching, especially when there is no teacher standing right in front of the student to deliver the lessons. But here’s the thing about education – it comes in all different forms, shapes, and sizes.  With that in mind, homeschooling basically leverages on the strength of other methods of learning.  And contrary to the traditional method of teaching, homeschooling doesn’t necessarily require the involvement of an actual teacher. In this set-up, parents are the primary figures that deliver the lessons to the students.

Different types of homeschooling

There are more ways than one that learning can be delivered to the students in a homeschooling set-up. Each method has its own strengths and weaknesses and understanding how each work is the key to optimizing the learning process for your child. 

  1. Eclectic homeschooling

Also known as the relaxed homeschooling method. This method basically utilizes a little bit of everything – from using workbooks, playtime, to formal teaching – whichever methodology works best for the student and the subject. Different teaching methods are utilized in this eclectic homeschooling, tailor-fit for the student’s capacity to optimize his or her learning capabilities. 

Examples of an eclectic homeschooling schedule
SubjectMethod of learning/teaching
WritingEssay writing and letter and/or journal writing 
ReadingRead a chapter of a student’s favorite book
MathUse of a math software; math manipulative materials like counters, rods, or shapes; or a math textbook
ScienceHands-on experiments or community science classes

Pros and cons

This method of learning/teaching most often emphasizes the subjects thoroughly because they are learned in the most practical way as possible. The challenge is, finding the method of teaching or learning that will work best for the student can be a bit of a trial and error for the parents.

  1. School-at-home approach

This is the textbook portrayal of homeschooling, and also the most expensive. From the name itself, it pretty much follows how teaching is delivered through a school, but only in a home setting. 

Parents will receive a learning kit that comes with study schedules, textbooks, grades, and record keeping. The set up encourages parents to implement the same learning structure as to how it is in an actual school. It also establishes a strict learning schedule which the students need to adhere to. 

Here’s how a typical school-at-home schedule looks like:

TimeActivity
7:30am to 8:10am Children take a shower, have breakfast, and prepare for school
8:10am to 8:40am History (use of textbook and workbook)
8:40am to 9:20amMath (use of textbook and workbook)
9:20am to 10:00amScience (use of textbook and workbook)
10:00am to 10:20amBreak
10:20am to 11:00amReading (textbook, workbook, or audiobook)
11:00am to 11:40amWriting (textbook, workbook or journal)

Pros and cons

The advantage of this method of homeschooling is that it’s closely similar to a school curriculum, and parents don’t need to figure out other means of teaching their child. It’s a good option for parents who are just new to homeschooling their children. 

On the other hand, this type of approach can easily burn out a student because of its strict schedule and study requirements. 

  1. Unschooling method

An interest-led method of learning, where the student learns through everyday life activities and experiences. It doesn’t utilize a formal lesson plan or schedule, instead, it encourages children to pursue their interests, do their own reading or research, and learn by getting engaged in it.

Pros and cons

This method of learning gives the student more time to learn their interests and become experts in that field. However, due to the loose nature of this method, unschoolers don’t normally do well on paper-based assessments such as quizzes, and it may be difficult for them to transition to formal schooling.

  1. Classical 

This is one learning method for students that predates even the Middle Ages, producing some of the greatest minds in the history of mankind. The end goal of this method is to allow students to learn by themselves through research, recording, relating, reasoning, and rhetoric. This method of learning presents a clear cut approach and a single approach towards all subjects. 

This is the most popular method even today, as it simply borrows a practice that is time-tested. It places an immense amount of focus on reading and analysis, where the entire learning process simply revolves around those. Less real-world applications but more on theoretical insights on the subjects at hand. 

Sample schedule for a classical method of homeschooling
7:30am to 8:10am Children takes a shower, have breakfast, and prepare for school
8:10am to 8:40am General lessons and activities that  encourage students to practice reading, or narration, and memory retention
8:40am to 9:20amParent reads a lesson to the child 
9:20am to 10:00amOral recitation and workbook activity for the child related to the lesson the parent discussed
10:00am to 10:20amBreak
10:20am to 11:00amAnother stand up discussion or lesson by the parent
11:00am to 11:40amAnother relevant learning activity for the child related to the subject

Pros and cons

Reading and analysis are some of the most time-tested methods of learning – you grab a book and discuss what you’ve learned afterward. While this is all good and efficient, it can’t be denied that theoretical knowledge has its limitations without any application or practical knowledge of the subject.

  1. Charlotte Mason

A learning structure that creates a balance between studying and playing. This is basically what we see in pre-school and kindergarten. The Charlotte Mason method aims to provide a variety of activities in the learner’s schedule, which gives room to breathe every once in a while. 

This method emphasizes the essence of being outdoors and enjoying nature, thus students are encouraged to have a nature journal where they can record their realizations on a daily basis. This method also strives to apply the most interesting learning materials available to keep the learning process from becoming boring. Field trips are also common in this method of learning which are usually scheduled once a week. 

Sample schedule for Charlotte Mason homeschooling
7:30am to 8:10am Children takes a shower, have breakfast, and prepare for school
8:10am to 8:40am Math
8:40am to 9:20amhandwriting
9:20am to 10:00amHistory
10:00am to 10:20amLiterature with reading
10:20am to 11:00amPlaytime / educational activity
11:00am to 1:00pmLunch
1:00pm to 1:40pmScience
1:40pm to 2:20pmMusic, P.E., Poetry
2:20pm  to 3:00pmPlaytime outdoors

Pros and cons

This method of learning follows a similar teaching structure with preschool and kindergarten. Perhaps this is best for young learners as it minimizes the boredom factor of the learning. The challenge here is the implementation of the learning process since it’s quite similar to a formal kindergarten or preschool program, parents may need to put in the extra effort to carry out this type of homeschooling process.

  1. Multiple intelligences

One of the most practical approaches to teaching/learning. This method picks the most appropriate subject-level according to the learner or child’s level of intelligence or capability. The learner or student may be learning the subject at a different level since it will be tailor-fit to his or her level of intelligence and capability to comprehend the subject. 

Basically, this will help emphasize the subjects or areas that a student or a learner is good at and help him or her excel faster. There’s really no standard level implemented for all subjects, instead, each subject will have its own level of difficulty tailored to the student’s level of understanding on each subject. The method also applies practical applications for each subject, rather than just books and analysis.
 

Sample schedule for Multiple Intelligence homeschooling
7:30am to 8:10am Reading
Personalized reading lessons according to the child’s level of intelligence in this subject. Parents can choose to provide the child a book to corresponding to the child’s level or an audio material coupled with a reading material.
8:10am to 8:40am Writing
Personalized writing lesson based on the child’s level of writing ability and preference. Parents can either choose to provide writing lessons with a pen and paper or a computer - depending on which type can reinforce better learning to the child.
8:40am to 9:20amMath
Promote learning through workbooks or hands-on manipulative exercises like using beads or fraction rods to learn the mathematical process.
9:20am to 10:00amScience
Through hands on experience like experiments or field trips.
10:00am to 10:20amHistory/Geography

Learned best by most children through immersion experiences like going to museums to witness firsthand the clothing, food, and music of a particular era or culture
10:20am to 11:00amMusic/Sports/Arts:

Parents expose their children to a variety of experiences, watch to see which activities spark their children’s passion, and then support their children in that activity

Pros and cons

The best thing about this method is that the learning process is adjusted to the child’s pace and abilities so what he or she is good at will be greatly magnified, and in certain cases give the child an academic advantage. The challenge is that it may not be that easy for a parent to identify the child’s level of adeptness to a certain subject especially during the earlier part of the homeschooling experience. This may further enrich the child’s expertise in a subject he or she is inclined to, but it may be difficult for the child to adapt to conform to the mainstream educational system once he or she moves back to formal schooling. 

Homeschooling is an educational option (or lifestyle, to many families) where the parents become their children’s main teachers in every aspect of life, including academics. They teach their children at home and everywhere else they see fit.  “The world is our classroom,” as most, if not all, homeschoolers like to say.

How much does homeschooling cost?

There are now various accredited homeschooling instituti0ns in the Philippines. The range of costs will pretty much vary on the level of education of the child and the institutions you send them to. Here’s a quick breakdown of the homeschooling institutions in the country and how much they cost.

1. Homeschool Global

The pioneer in homeschooling in the Philippines and has been operating for 20 years and is part of bigger institutions that deliver homeschooling education all over the world. The institution provides holistic but flexible and personalized education. If you’re looking for a homeschooling institution that will provide you with a tailored education to your child, they can fulfill that need.

curriculum

Touch – Open curriculum as parents are also given the option to explore other materials that will be fit to the students. They provide customizable curriculums with seasoned homeschool advisor support.

Levels offered

Pre-school to highschool

Homeschool Fee

  • Touch – ₱35,000 program fee
    ₱7,000-₱15,000 curriculum materials
  • ₱2,500 online testing fee

2. Homeschool Pilipinas

Homeschool Pilipinas is part of Homeschool Global‘s COVID-19 response project, aiming to give more Filipino families access to home education.

curriculum

Open-curriculum but uses DepEd’s K-12 curriculum as the basis. They prescribe local textbooks with teacher’s guides aligned with DepEd’s minimum competencies. The parents are allowed to enhance the curricula by using their own preferred materials based on their child’s learning style.

Levels Offered:

Pre-school to high school (Grade 10)

Homeschool Fee:

  • For Kinder: ₱ 16, 500
  • For Grades 1-6: ₱ 18, 500
  • For Grades 7-10: ₱ 19, 500

3. Child’s Home Educational Center

Among the longest-running homeschool institution in the county and is a DepEd accredited school that offers services for pre-nursery up to grade 3.

curriculum

Flexible Curriculum. They have their own curriculum and books, however, parents are more than welcome to add their own materials to enhance their child’s learning.

Levels Offered:

Pre-nursery, Nursery, Pre kinder, Kinder, Grades 1-3

Homeschool Fee:

  • ₱ 18, 000 – registration only (parent orientation, training, and support), teaching guide, school books
  • ₱ 28, 000 – includes a registration teaching guide, school books

You can find more DepEd accredited homeschooling institutions here.

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