PARENT ROLE IN EDUCATION "URGENT" — In Child’s Lifetime !
Parents’ first interest is the well-being of their child — not the outer world. This is a biological imperative of all parents, be they mammal or human. In the ideal progression of Nature’s Rules the young will become self-sufficient and independent with the guidance of their parents.
The initiative by the government of BC to payout $40 a day to parents when their chosen public school is unavailable due to a teacher strike is a FIRST in Canada. The public policy principle supported here is that it is the parents — ultimately — who are responsible for the child’s education.
I have found 7 good reasons why this is sound public policy — Diversity, Devolution, Self-determination, etc. During controversy on this issue in BC I have posted widely on these points , which are expanded on my blog http://www.parentsteachingparents.net/2014/08/education-debit-account-idea-explained/
What I want to emphasize is the “here-and-now” aspect of this issue.
Of course, media is being swarmed by those in opposition, with negative comments as “It’s a bribe”, “The money belongs in the system”, etc.
But, it is the parents who must act to keep their child advancing developmentally and educationally. They cannot wait for the system to get its act in order.
The post above references an AIMS commentary, which in turn references a very troubling article from SLATE http://www.slate.com/articles/double_x/doublex/2013/08/private_school_vs_public_school_only_bad_people_send_their_kids_to_private.html
It is the following viewpoint that further supports my views that parents must act in the lifetimes of their child, not for some future utopian dream:
“ . . . if every single parent sent every single child to public school, public schools would improve. This would not happen immediately. It could take generations. Your children and grandchildren might get mediocre educations in the meantime, but it will be worth it, for the eventual common good.”
I disapprove of the above mindset. That is another reason I support the $40 day idea.