It is a sad reality that education nowadays has become more of a privilege than a right, as what it ideally should be. With the sky-rocketing school fees of private school education, most families who could not afford it either settle to enroll their children in public schools, or just skip education altogether.
This thought keep running circles in my mind as I face the challenge of plunging into the world of big school education. From small school to what I consider the big and real world of education.
The little lady took the entrance exam last week in a private Catholic school a ride away from my office. She is 6 years old and an incoming Grade 2 this school year.
Too Much, Too Soon
Everybody thinks she is too young to be Grade 2, as most students normally start elementary education at the age of 7. She started Nursery at the age of 4 and skipped Kindergarten because she passed the qualifying exam for Preparatory. I was lucky to save a year’s worth of tuition fee.
Still, there are times when I think if I made the right decision. Of course, I was thrilled when she was accelerated to a higher level. It only meant that she is intellectually capable and well advanced for her age.
That was undeniably a certified proud parent moment! But what I am more concerned about is the fact that she has advanced to a level where she needed to study more and play less.
As I go through her subjects and homework on a daily basis, I am always surprised with how much lessons they take up in a single day. Lessons that were taught to me as a 5th grader are now being taught in Grade 1!
How time really flies. I remember struggling with multiplication when I was in Grade 4, now my daughter is expected to memorize it earlier (Sheesh. I am having another flashback about how much I loathe every Math subject in school).
I always let the little lady play after school and we do all her assignments before going to bed. I do not want to put too much pressure on her, as she might get tired and bored with studying. I know kids’ brains are like sponge, but they also need a squeeze every now and then whenever they get all soaked up, or they won’t be able to absorb more.
I think schools today give kids too much academic work. I also noticed that younger kids are now being pushed to attend school by parents who worry too much that their kids might be lagging behind other children their age.
So what is the rush anyway? In my time, I did not even attend Nursery and I turned out just fine.
Schools have even invented a number of levels that they tout as a pre-requisite before attending formal elementary education - Kinder 123, Pre-K, Junior Casa and Senior Casa, to name a few. They have become ingenious in creating a need for society to succumb to. And they have so far been successful, harvesting huge profits in the process.
Small School or Big School? Small schools are ideal for preschoolers who need to test the waters first before plunging into the big school arena. They need a place conducive for both learning and play. A fun place where they can be comfortable, not intimidated. A quaint place they will look forward to visiting again on a regular basis.
Although the little lady studied in two good small schools where she learned a lot of things apart from the basics, I decided it is time for her to continue her education in a private Catholic school, just like I did.
My dilemma was actually more on what school to choose. I had to consider proximity, safety, curriculum, values and of course, the price tag. As much as I want to send her to the most expensive school in the country, I have to be realistic. Spending an amount more than enough for a house and lot down payment is just too much, in my opinion. But of course, if you have the means, then go for it.
The school that I chose fits perfectly into my standards. It costs 150% more than the last school, but I am crossing my fingers that it will all be worth it.
Education is a very important investment. A good quality education can give a child a bright future ahead, but still there are no guarantees. Sending your child to the most expensive school may give you status symbol, but it does not assure him of a successful future. It is just one of the major components that make up a success story. Apart from that, parents have to continuously nurture their children’s gifts and potential and guide them all the way, to help them achieve their goals.
It still remains to be one of the best gifts that we can give to our children.
20 showed some lovin':
That calls for a new celebration,huh? More blessings for the Young Lady,then, keep it up!
I think the current trend of throwing everything at a six year old is because that's the age where retention is best. But I'm no educator, so that's just my theory. But after one kid out of college, one kid getting out of high school and a third one just starting kinder i think i've noticed a pattern already :)
Just keep an eye at your little lady and she'll be fine.
hi there KCee =)
yeah, its true. education is becoming more of a priveledge these days not a right anymore.
my hubby and i dont have a kid yet but we are getting an educational plan as early as now.
neway, goodluck to your daughters schooling!
got you tagged!http://brainbitsandbeats.blogspot.com/2008/04/francine-gave-me-this-tag.html
I agree. I used to work in two schools in the office and its ridiculous. They start early too. If you want your child to get into a good school it seems you'll have to start saving before you even consider having a child.
I Love children's drawings, they are my favorite art by far. Children see the world as it really is and we loose that ability as we get older and become jaded.
Lucky You!!
I believe its ok, kids always like learning something new.
When my daughter was to start school, I opted for her to be in the salimpusa class....it turned out that she is sometimes bored because she used to be a fastlearner, the activities hold her back (so to say) because she knew much for such a class.
Now my son is to enter school and I was told by the kindergarten tante(aunt) that he is a kid who is well advanced in logic and artsy stuff (he's 4 and can calculate without the help of his fingers). So don't think that its too fast, kids nowadays have a different level of absorbing things than we used too =)
It is really sad that education has become a privelege. I have noticed that even children that go to public schools would still need to shell out a couple of hundreds.Public schools don't get enough support from d gov't that's why students still need to contribute some money so that the school can function. Very sad.
Anyway, I do hope it would change in the future.
KCee,Thanks alot for the html tutorial;) I appreciate it.
The problem of acceleration is when the child gets off to college and has to interact with people of all sorts of backgrounds. It requires mature thinking and proper psychology, which I'm sure you can provide given how much you care for your child!
I heard of a 13 year old boy who enrolled in ADMU but couldn't handle the load, I'm not sure whether it was academically or socially though.
Peace.
Hi guys! Thanks for leaving your valuable inputs.:)
@ kelseynco - yeah, it's really something worth celebrating!
@ bambit - Yes, I've read before that the younger you teach the child, the better. My concern though, is that they are being pushed too hard in a structured manner, and that robs them of the natural process of growing normally as children.
Wow! It's already tough to send one to school, how much more 3? Congratulations! :)
@ wendy - Getting an educational plan early is best. It is a form of forced savings that you will never regret having. :)
@ hailey - Thanks for tagging me! Can I do it later? I still have lots of pending tags to do. *sigh*
@ sara - I agree. Saving for education is really a must these days. It is something that every couple should prepare for well in advance.
@ mamaflo - Thanks! I love the innocence in children's art too. They are out of the box, influenced by no less than their own imagination. I try to encourage my little lady to do this on a regular basis to get her creative juices flowing. :)
@ gizelle - Yes, no question about kids being much advanced than we are (I think it has something to do with their milk! Milk companies put all the vitamins imaginable in them. lol), what I'm concerned about is the way schools overload them with academic work.
What used to be a fun and normal day for the little one, becomes a day of homework and studying, from the moment he goes to school until the time that he finishes his homework in 8 subjects or more every single day.
@ Jade - If only we have a strong public school system, then it wouldn't matter if we send our kids there.
The government has to uplift its standards to help more children get the quality education they so deserve.
@ ozy - I agree with you. Kids who have high IQ doesn't necessarily have a corresponding high EQ (Emotional Quotient) which experts believe is fundamental in being successful in life.
I remember the 8 year old son of an officemate before. He excelled academically, but he had trouble socializing with other kids. He was accelerated two or more grades higher, but he was not happy. Worst of all, he developed a suicidal tendency. That boy has low EQ, his mother found out later on. It's really sad.
hi kcee. my eldest is ten and she is Grade 6 this june. younger than your girl when she journeyed through her elementary years. i have apprehensions sending her to High School at 11 and finishing it off at 14. imagine entering college at 14 and finishing at 18, should she be on time!
thus, i sent her to an alternative school not a traditional school. she enjoys it more than being bored with the usual or traditional set-up of 7am -4pm while seated in a teacher centered classroom. but i have the same apprehensions... support na lang!
Nga pala, that's what I forgot, we have 8 subjects, here the kids have only 4 a day. In gradeschool which is 4 years lang, they learn basics, no history stuff yet, and parang college method, not everyday and subjects =D At 12, those who need to be taken care of until 5pm are sent to a Hort, an after school institution where the kids play, eat, do their homework and sometimes go on trips. (I worked there before as an english tutor of sort).
Then they go on four years middle school plus one more school year then off to higher education.
Anyway, it would be nice if our school system would somehow have lighter load nga. TC! Hugs to the little girl!
Hey KCee,
You have been tagged;)
A question for you!
Thanx again for d code!
Love yah!
ughh, the dilemma of a parent, my boy is 4 and i think, it's time for him to go to a real school, I home-schooled him last year instead of enrolling him in a toddler-nursery class. i'm still on a hunt for the perfect school, hope to choose the right one.
Yup this is the sad truth... more of an inconvenient truth really.
Woah your little lady is quite smart! I wish that I could have started school early too so that I could also end school early din hehehe.
Hi Hailey,
She is 6 and will be Grade 2 this coming June, so when she turns 10, she will also be Grade 6 just like your daughter.
I have the exact apprehensions as she will be going through the same path. Finishing High School at 14, College at 18. *sigh*
Good you were able to find an alternative school for her. Traditional schools can be really boring! :)
@ Gizelle - I think most kids will be much happier and eager in going to school if we can have the same system here.*wish* :)
@ Jade - My pleasure! :)
@ Maggie - Goodluck on your school hunting. We all want the best for our kids, always! :)
@ Vincent - Thanks! I think you turned out just fine. No need to rush! :)
Hi Kcee!
I feel sad that education here in the Philippines is very costly. A child can only be allowed to enter grade school after finishing prep, junior prep, kinder, etc.
The reason why many Filipino kids cannot afford to study because of these requirements. Dati naman wala naman ganyan.
Sana lng mag improve ung value ng education natin dito sa Pinas, not just the tuition fees.
By the way, I have a tag for you.
God bless!
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