Insourcing education is becoming increasingly popular in an outsourcing society.
Outsourcing and Insourcing
In modem life, it is common practice to ‘outsource’ for most of our daily needs. How many of us sew our own clothes, grow our own veggies, or grind our own flour? Do you bake your own bread or service your own car? Or do you make your own paper and cheese? Who supplies your electricity and water?
Many people who have the opportunity and the inclination will take back some of these responsibilities. Consequently, they use their own resources. Instead of outsourcing, they ‘insource”.
Not every person has the time, skills, or desire to insource any or many of these activities. To be completely honest, though, there is a certain satisfaction that comes with successful Do-It-Yourself. Indeed, who would not feel pride in growing your own, baking your own, making your own, or maintaining your own?
Insourcing Education
What may be surprising is that a growing number of parents have decided to apply this to their own children. Insourcing education is a growing choice where parents can raise their very own crop of home grown students.
Why would anyone want to do that? After all, isn’t that the school’s job? Well, aren’t fresh vegetables the farmer’s job, or making bread the baker’s job? Likewise, isn't making jam the supermarket supplier's job? Surely eggs come from the carton, and landscape gardeners plant the azaleas?
Whose job is it to teach children how to tie shoelaces, or how to eat and dress, or the difference between right and wrong?
All parents will insource some of these responsibilities. However, is there a firm line dividing where the parent’s responsibilities end and paid experts must take over? In regard to education, our Western culture has long conditioned us that others will “take care of that”.
"You go get a job and live your dream. Meanwhile, we'll teach your children what they should know."
Many parents consider that, for a variety of reasons, they themselves would like to take care of the education of their children. Hence, the rapidly growing phenomenon known as homeschooling. It is a legal and viable educational alternative in Australia.
Why homeschooling?
- The academic advantage of meeting the child at their level and allowing progression at their own pace, with individual attention;
- Control over what the children learn;
- Control over how the children learn;
- Ability to more closely monitor social interaction and peer pressure;
- Elimination of the need for long distance travel;
- Significant relief from the financial burden associated with private schooling;
- Reduction of the stress and anxiety often associated with heavy work load and homework pressure;
- Protection of family values and relationships.
The question of how to best educate one’s children is surely one of the most important considerations a parent will face. There are so many things to think about. Ultimately, we all want the best opportunities for our children In the workplace, in further studies, and in society.
Thousands of homeschooled students have progressed on to work and higher learning. Many have taken university courses such as Law, Medicine, Nursing, Engineering, Teaching, Veterinary Science and every other university course or career you could name. Hundreds have moved into trades, traineeships, business, and self-employment.
There is no one-size-fits-all in education, and no one pathway to the career of choice. With homeschooling, a committed parent and a willing student, there are no obstacles; only choices.
There is nothing more rewarding for a parent, than looking at the fruit of your own labour, and being able to say: "I did that! It was worth the effort."
You may like to see our frequently asked questions about homeschooling.
Greg Simon BA; Dip Ed; Cert Teach
Greg has taught and tutored secondary Maths, Science and ICT for over thirty years, and has been a school principal before dedicating his life to working with home-educating families. He was actively involved with the homeschooling of his four children.
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