Recently news agencies have reported on the organized protests by Ontario teachers at Queen’s Park over proposed curriculum changes made by the newly elected Progressive Conservative government. One teacher interviewed by journalists explained her presence at the protest by saying that she wanted to teach what she believed was right for students to learn. My intent is not to debate the issue of Ontario school curriculum, but simply to note the desire of the teacher; she wished to instruct youth in the ideas she believed were right and good for them to know.
As parents and home educators, we believe the same. We wish to teach and instruct our children according to the ideas we believe to be right. Determining what is good and right for children is where the debate arises and rightly so, as it is a matter of utmost importance as has been noted before, ideas have consequences.
When we decide to take on the task of home education for our children, we must know why we are doing this important work since we will surely encounter inquiries and discouragement along the way which may easily dissuade us.
Most often part of knowing why we are home educating is knowing what we will be teaching our children and since we cannot possibly teach them every idea (nor would we want to even if we could) we must choose carefully how to use the short time they are under our care.
We must think clearly about whose authority we are placing ourselves as every authority comes with its own laws and regulations. Do this, but not that. This idea is right, but this idea is wrong. So as parents we must be wise and consider what authority will help us determine what is good and right for our children to study and know. If I could have a moment to sit quietly with the teacher mentioned earlier and befriend her, I would like to ask her as an educator who her authority is. How does she know that this idea is right and good for children to learn, but not that idea? Those are the questions that we also must constantly be asking ourselves as parents as we are bombarded with many conflicting ideas. May we be ever driven to think, study and pray for wisdom and understanding as we seek to live under the authority of Jesus Christ.
