HomeSchooler.org.uk

Posted on the 'ask Dawn Primorolo' site.

I write as a Canadian home-educating parent who is deeply interested inyour current proposals, resulting from the Badman report. I have served as Secretary of the Ontario Federation of Teaching Parents, and am a founding member of FACE (Freedom and Choice in Education) in the province of British Columbia.

To begin, I am appalled that anyone would suggest that parents who decide to take full responsibility for their children's education are more likely than other parents to abuse their children. There isabsolutely no evidence in any country to suggest that such a case is true. In fact, it is quite the opposite.

If you are interested in accountability, I strongly urge you to examine the legislation in other jurisdictions, such as the province of British Columbia in Canada. For many years we have had a law which requires home-learners to register with a local school, independent or public, but which entrusts the provision of the educational program to the parent. If a person were to suspect that such a program was not being provided, they could ask the Ministry of Education for a review.

Again, it is ridiculous to suggest that parents who care enough about their children to supervise their education themselves are more likely to abuse them. This shibboleth has been tried on and disproved in both the U.S. and Canada time and again. I am sure that Britain, like Canada, has a considerable amount of legislation already on the books to ensure the safety of children. Home-educating parents should not be stigmatized or treated as second-class citizens. Do you not see that to enter private homes without cause, and to demand access to children without their parents' permission or presence is a violation of civil rights? How can your government even contemplate such a course of action? You have absolutely no evidence to support the necessity of these proposals. Even a cursory study of home-based education will show you the hundreds of ways home-educating families interact in their communities. Home-educated children are at much less risk than traditionally schooled children for child abuse, substance abuse, bullying, and many other ills that plague the youth of modern society.

Is there a fear that home-based education is becoming too popular in Britain? Are teachers concerned that if home-based education becomes more common that their jobs will be threatened? What is the real motivation behind these initiatives? I guarantee you that it is not concern for the safety of children.

I am sure that you are hearing from thousands of Britons on these issues. Be assured that the rest of the world is watching too.

Sincerely,
Kelly L. Green
1029 Joan Crescent
Victoria, British Columbia V8S 3L3