Education Stars at Home

When the parents decide to send their child to school, it is understood that they are taking the responsibility of all his needs: financially, academically and emotionally.

Karlo* is a 4-year old boy. He is a naturally playful kid who is preoccupied with every other thing aside from studies. It seems like he is not ready for school yet. We surely understand that, after all, enrolling in our center is an optional thing.

As what I heard, Karlo is being sent to school by his grandmother in US. She sends him money for the monthly tuition fee and allowance for the entire month, so, his financial need is settled.

For the past 4 months, however, we noticed that no one is making a follow up on his lessons. His homework is always undone.. actually it is untouched. He is always absent and when asked why, he would say because he slept. When we asked his aunt, we learned that the boy played computer past his bedtime and woke up around noon making him miss school altogether.

It was also obvious that no one is reading his reminder notebook. So, when there is something to bring to school, he would come empty-handed. He also wears the prescribed uniform any day he wants when we already sent a memo that the official civilian day is Wednesday. (Don’t they even notice that he is dressed differently?)

On our Halloween party, he came early (for the first time) but not in his proper Halloween costume. His mother said she does not know about the costume so, she bought one on the spot. After the party, the teacher made an announcement that the class will resume on November 8 and there will be a long test the following day, so, please refer to the reminder notebook for the child’s schedule.

As we expected, Karlo did not come to school on the 8th and came instead the following day at 10:30am when it was specified that his schedule is at 11:30am. His mother simply answered that they were busy so did not look at Karlo’s notebook so they did not know that the class resumed the day before. When asked if they know about the exam, his mother’s expression became blank at first then abruptly answered that she already reviewed Karlo. (How come then that she didn’t know about the schedule?) The result of the test proved otherwise. Karlo got a very low grade.

Last Thursday, the teacher announced that the students’ official plastic envelope must be brought to school to be updated. Karlo did not bring his. We tried to call his mother at home but no one was answering the phone. We tried to reach her on her cell phone but with  no luck either.

Every child has the right to education. The decision, however, when and where to get that education depends on whoever is responsible for him. We can only teach academic subjects and a little of moral values by reminding him what to do and what not to do. The best way is by setting example and only those who live with him could give that.