Should children educate themselves?
Some people say this helps children become independent.
Imagine if there was a “no-teacher day” at school. Pupils could turn up and decide how to spend their day and what they wanted to learn – if anything at all. Some might choose to practise football skills; perhaps others would prefer to read or play a video game; and some could just chat to their friends. This is the essence of “unschooling”, a system where children choose how, what and where they want to learn. Parents who choose to let their children educate themselves say that it allows them to follow their passions and takes the stress and competition out of schooling. Others say children can’t possibly receive a useful education without the structure and discipline of teachers and timetables. What do you think? Should children educate themselves?
Yes – it allows children to be creative
From their first day of life, a person tries to learn and understand the world around them. Very young children learn to see colours, recognise voices and smile without being taught. This instinctive learning continues in the early years, so why shouldn’t people continue to learn in this natural way? Also, unschooling teaches children to be responsible for themselves. With no teacher around, children must motivate themselves to learn, and this is a really important skill for later life. It’s also a much more creative way to learn. Children can pursue subjects they are really interested in, so they will naturally learn quicker. This could also help them find what they want to do when they grow up.
No – teachers prepare us for adult life
Unschooling sounds too good to be true because it is. It puts too much responsibility on a child. A teacher, even if they are the student’s parent, is there to guide students and help them gain as much knowledge as they can – even if it’s in subjects they find difficult or boring. Not everybody likes maths or reading but they are essential life skills. Teacher-led education also gives children structure and a routine, teaching the importance of time-keeping and discipline. Adults can’t just do what they like in most jobs, and school prepares children for this. Besides, school is important for socialising too. Unschooling happens at home, so children don’t have the benefit of interacting with others their age. This means they could feel left out.