by Obi Kenneth
It’s
not real clear at this point where our economy is going or what the
long-term repercussions of government meddling will be. One thing we do
know is that people are tightening their belts, spending less, becoming
more prudent with their money.
This
is an important consideration for those of us promoting independent
education. If people have less money to spend and are more reluctant to
spend what they do have, how will private and home schooling choices be
impacted? How will they be expanded?
Maybe
now is a good time to point out that of all the things we spend money
on, this is one area that offers the most potential for saving dollars
without sacrificing liberty or excellence. As a matter of fact, we might
even increase both.
Surely
choosing and sticking with independence during rough times cements in
our minds and characters a bent toward confidence in our ability to
weather and rise above any storm. Refusing to fall back on government
services for something so personal and basic as educating our children
makes us stronger, less vulnerable citizens and human beings and adds
significant credibility to the lessons we try to teach our children.
But
can we do it on a shoestring without sacrificing excellence? One
advantage to tough economic times is that people often become more
honest about what things should cost and more creative in bringing costs
down without compromising standards.
And
since independence and creativity are the parents of excellence (ask
Einstein and Edison, both of whom credited self-education and their
creative capacities for their great successes), the potential for
transcending our current limiting definitions of education is huge.
Obviously,
the easiest form of education to economize on is homeschooling. Books
and resources can be shared, reused and sold. Tutors can be shared.
Parents can trade expertise during co-op classes or on their own.
Relatives, friends, fellow church members can all contribute at far more
economical prices than might be found in a private school or a learning
center. Because homeschoolers tend to work together as small
communities, all of these efforts can be expanded upon to increase the
benefit and savings to everyone.
But
what about private schools? What about churches hoping to embark on
independent education ventures? The possibilities are endless. The power
of parents should be employed. What can parents teach and help with?
(This should always be done, but now is a better time for it than any.)
What can be taught by retired parishioners? What can be taught by way of
workshops rather than year-long courses? How can students be taught to
educate themselves and become competent to tutor younger children? How
can teachers collude to improve results while reducing their stress and
work levels? How can churches and other groups partner? This is the time
to break out of the mold, to think outside the box – way outside. What
conventional thinking is holding your school or church back?
In
the seventh grade, I attended a tiny Christian school – 60 students in K
through 7. We had one teacher for sixth and seventh grades. Both
intellectually and socially it was my most worthwhile year of school.
Neither a lack of resources nor a shortage of teachers detracted from
the level or variety of education offered. Besides all we learned, we
put on plays, did art projects, had music, cooked and more.
Hardship
is invigorating. It emboldens us to shed the status quo, to dig out of
our ruts and our restrained thinking and sharpen our brains and our
nerve. Necessity, it has often been said, is the mother of invention.
Conversely, luxury is the mother of complacency.
There
is no better time than now to choose liberty. Gather your colleagues,
family and friends and ask yourselves: How can we do this without
breaking the bank? How can we make it an experience that will benefit
our children throughout their lives? How can we make it excellent in all
ways?
Get
specific. What concerns you? Science, math, advanced courses?
Brainstorm. Gather good thinkers, daring individuals (and the timid
ones), and chart every possibility. Solutions will emerge if you engage
in the process, if every idea is fleshed out and examined, if you’re
willing to go the distance. Is it supplies, regulations, salaries that
concern you? Brainstorm! Don’t waste the gray matter between the ears of
the people with whom you associate. Bring in everyone who has an idea –
from the pastor to the parents to the janitor.
Let
me close by sharing the story of James Tooley. Maybe you know of him.
Mr. Tooley, while studying elite private education for the IMF,*
stumbled on dozens upon dozens of private schools in India – started by
regular people, paid for largely by very poor parents disgusted with
public schools. Further investigation uncovered not dozens but hundreds
of such schools, and not only in India but throughout Africa and
China.**
If
the poor parents of developing nations have the courage and the will to
take back their children’s education from their governments, and if
common citizens of those countries can find a way to serve these parents
and children, what on earth could possibly be our excuse?
Why
not start a brainstorming group this week? It can be as few as two
people or as many as you like. Agree to examine every imaginable issue
and obstacle and every imaginable solution, however outlandish. Bounce
ideas off lots of people – that’s how you come up with more ideas and
improvements. Bounce ideas around in your head as you work and play.
Then start fine-tuning. See what you come up with. You’ll be surprised
and excited, I assure you. From that point, you need only find the
courage to act.
And
please, share your ideas with us so we can add them to our collection
and pass them along to the many others who are seeking ways to choose
freedom.
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*International Monetary Fund of The World Bank
**The Beautiful Tree: A personal journey into how the world’s poorest people are educating themselves. By James Tooley
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