A typical day of homeschooling for Fernando Kleynhans:

• Why did we decide on homeschooling:
• Some advice for future homeschoolers:
• This year 2003

8H00:

•  trying to get out of bed, will succeed at around 8H30, followed by breakfast and giving my dad a hard time since he is doing "homework" (working from home)

9H00:

• some form of exercise follow this wakeup ritual, either run around our neighborhood with my mom, skipping, kickboxing, or cycling / exercising with my dad. (if it is not Tuesday when Ster Kinekor has their movies on promotion, upon which we will embark to see the latest release of "Spiderman" or such...)

10H00:

• if we are lucky, we'll be back on time and school officially starts with a quick game of chess (our chess web space http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ichessu) for the next 30 minutes, time permit, we'll play in between the day or some card games, Raba-Raba as a bonus.

10H30:

• Math's, about a 100 sums of subtraction, multiplication, fraction and division, etc...just to get things started!

break until further notice (10 minutes between periods) -»

11H45:

• reading, writing, Dick and Harry (dictionary), etc. - at this stage mom took over as teacher / instructor - the ultimate aim is for me to do the work all by myself, in my next life!

13H00:

•  long awaited lunch break - play ball outside or play tennis at the school next to us - visit the park.

14H00:

• Usually spend a little time on the computer with some educational stuff, or sing and make music on our Yamaha keyboard.

14h30:

• learning and memory, complements from my dad. Countries / capitals of the world, or the universe. Encyclopedia research - anything that interest me!

15H00:

• school finished and my free time until soccer, judo or art starts later in the afternoon - play Sony play station or games on my computer.

So much for a curriculum...enjoy everyday to the fullest!

Albert Einstein (also expelled from school) "imagination is more important than knowledge"

Thomas Edison 1847-1931 (left school grade one) "Genius is one per cent inspiration and 99 per cent perspiration"

Written by Frans Kleynhans:

We decided on homeschooling because the headmaster asked us to leave the school, after eight months in grade one. (follow this link to view the problems we experienced) To be really successful, i was told that you have to be dynamic and and achiever at all levels - starting with how to be a family man, caring for our creation, helping with family duties like gardening, kitchen and general cleaning, and most of all, how to use your brain.  For obvious reasons, schools can not teach the truth, and this is the basis of our religion. Most schools offer a reasonable quality of education, but we all have the ability to do much better.

When you consider homeschooling, you need clear-cut objectives that is formalized around the student and his/her abilities - the following list includes duties that we believe is expected from us as parents: (this will differ from parent to parent)

1. To stay motivated and positive at all time.

2. To enjoy learning and encourage exploration.

3. Family values and future generations to be taken into consideration

4. To have a wide general knowledge about the world and the environment.

5. To be able to use their memory efficiently - that would include both sides of your brain.

6. To take responsibility for your actions and carry the consequences of the mistakes you make.

7. To be able to perform in at least three different sports, as well as music and art. (an extra language can only benefit the kids)

8. Most important of all, the kids must learn to study on their own and at their own pace - this type of learning is specially relevant to their interests and talent. Unbiased research is the basis of knowledge.

9. We teach only the truth as a religion, which incidentally rejects the bible and most religions - the creator is far out of reach of our understanding, so for anyone to claim that they associate themselves with our creator is far fetching and wishful thinking. The way you live will determine the contribution you make in this world.

10. The dangers that lurk under the suit and tie of white collar crime and conspiracy - ignorance is not an excuse.

11. Not to brainwash our kids into believing anything, but rather factual information that they would know right from wrong.

What have we achieved up to seven years of age:

1. Mathematics: addition and division of fragments in quarters and thirds ie. 2.25 - 3.5 = -1.25 (up to 100) ; multiplication of large numbers: no parrot learning of the times tables! Division of small numbers and understanding these concepts - lots of recourses on the net.

2. Memory: i was able to memorize all 40 capitals in EUROPE in less than two days, already knowing the countries and capitals in AFRICA and the MIDDLE EAST.

3. Enjoy sport, art, music, reading, etc.

Our objective for 2003: learning electronic components and building our own circuits as an additional subject - i hope to be a full fledged computer technician at the age of 14, and earn some money fixing computers. Computers has dominated every sector of the industry, and with the advantage of knowing the inside working of these devices, you have the edge of technology and career. This is really a very interesting hobby for kids.

Homeschooling is not for everyone, and it takes an extra effort from parents to spend time teaching and preparing kids for real life - many people talk about un-schooling after their school career of 12 years, why bother in the first place. If you consider homeschooling, make sure you contact as many communities that is willing to accommodate you in their activities. It took us a while to find the schools that was willing to incorporate us into their activities, but persistence paid off. Fernando do chess tournaments regularly, and there he meet friends and enjoy the whole day with like minded kids. The secret is to learn on your own, and discipline is very important. Spend as much time as you can being involved in sporting activities, and jog / skip every morning if you can, make it a family effort.

join our informal homeschooling discussion group at sahomeschooler-subscribe@yahoogroups.com  to share resources and ideas (this forum is not related to any specific religion of curriculum)

Problems we experienced at Beaumont Primary School:

Upon arrival the first time at school, there was a definite tense atmosphere at reception, which emphasized the formal professional non-transparent introduction to the school. The reluctance of reception to be helpful and friendly is proof that they have very little regard for parents. Visiting other schools has proved that the impression reception creates is indeed an indication of the mentality of the schools attitude. We could not expect anything more, we should have known:

1. Corporal punishment has been done away with, resulting in teachers having to resort to other tactics like shouting and manhandling to achieve the desired discipline. I am a supporter of corporal punishment where it is needed. Without going into detail, kids are being pushed around and a heavy tone of voice is the order of the day.

2. This school had regular entrepreneur days - a fun event is turned into an opportunity to cheat the kids out of their money. As a successful businessman that retired in my early thirties, i regard a love of money as a sensitive subject. My perception is that money makes you cheat and lie, and change you priorities for the worst. I refer to "The Money God" because of the power money have over us as people. Kids are ready to be taught about finances in high school, and it remains to be done by successful businessmen.

3. Most schools follow double standards by claiming to be Christians, and in reality are closer to demons that cheat and lie where they might be implicated. If there is no reward for the truth, it would never be revealed, and without the truth, the cause or root of the problem can not be addressed. Religion should be kept out of school, like Galileo pointed out in the 15th century when he confirmed that the world was round, contrary to the holy bible, and was put under arrest for his discovery - this revelation was kept secret for close to two hundred years as Copernicus indicated in the 14th century. Evolution is taught by academics, but resented by the christians - doesn't make sense to me? The teacher really freaked out when i told her that "Pokimons was NOT evil" and that she had no business telling kids not to play with them at school - but the school was happy to sell the chips at the cafeteria. (what a good christian to take you money and then blame you for buying it)

4. The governing body consist out of business entrepreneurs that get the contracts for whatever has to be done at school - they definitely do not serve the interest of the parents. With the meeting that the director of education arranged with us and the school, the principal is accompanied by the chairman of the governing body, in a capacity as his attorney, getting paid by the hour! Like a criminal, the headmaster needs a strong defense. I was happy to see how disorganized the educational department was. Governing body meetings are not open to the parents, and only on special invitation are you allowed to attend.

5. Our teacher (Annetjie Page) was offering free advice on drugs, already suggesting that some parents should consider Ritalin to slow kids down in grade one. Further to this, vitamins and supplements was sold at parents nights, which really upset me, since i realised a few years ago how little we still know about our bodies and how it function. Anyway, i consider myself a herbalist that has found that most powerful remedies comes for free, and that kids out of line don't eat right, or doesn't get the necessary attention at home. A vitamin imbalance is eminent with kids that take supplements at a young age.

6. The headmaster (Gordon Reddell) had the attitude of a dictator, "i love myself" with a very sleek and professional approach - logging into their web, his picture boast the front page like he is the subject that drives the school. www.beaumont-prim.co.za - this is the epic of hypocrisy. Not once did he had the decency to offer feedback in writing, and barely returned our calls, not even speaking about mediating the dispute that "Pokimons are evil" with the teacher in question. To be self centered and arrogant in your approach to parents culture resentment and disrespect.

7. I am convinced that some teachers was using mood altering drugs, and that they was not fit to teach, like many other. Teachers on mood altering drugs like sleeping pills, anti-depressants, alcohol and any serotonin related drugs, should be done with the consent of all the parents in the class. This will be a major upset for teachers if a law was passed in this regard!

8. There is no record of complaints against the school, and there is also no transparency to access formalities that reveal corruption. Many parents have lodged complaints, but the school still claim that there has never been any problems - obviously, no written proof, no case. Teachers realise that every year there are new kids with new complaints, and as longs as the one doesn't know about the other, the problem is isolated, leaving you with no case.

9. "moral values is part of the education the kids receive at school" - they are definitely not doing a good job, in any event, we think it is better to leave this as the responsibility of the parents. Teachers are not angels, and angels do not exist in this world, so lets keep moral standards to what is practiced at home. Kids learn from what they see and hear!

10. "parents should not interfere with the education of the kids" Right, the teachers know everything, that is why they are teachers! No wonder Thomas Edison left school in grade one, to become the biggest inventor of all time. Any parent that has basic education can introduce a system of self study for the kids, and once they are going, it snowballs into wherever they want to go. The essence of learning is that you learn what you enjoy, and do well in a variety of different subjects of interest.

11. There is too much politics and religion in school - the education department does not respect the culture of societies, but westernize all ethnic groups into one "civil society" to become lame and without identity. Acknowledge different races and further their cultures!

12. To many rules for parents to adhere to, to much discipline and to little freedom for the kids at school.

We were convinced that we would rather do without this type of education, and would still be able to achieve academically, as well as reach success. It worked out a huge success for us and we are grateful for the department of education for allowing this form of education.

Education of the future!

It is not all schools and teachers that fall in the category of mayhem, and as we got involved with other schools in our area, we realised the interest and dedication these teachers have in their work. We are especially appreciative of Somerset House and Hendrik Louw primary school for allowing homeschoolers to join in their activities. For the teachers that treat kids with the respect they deserve, HOOORAAAAY!

It is important to note that it is sometimes just these teachers that is frustrated with the shortcoming of the education system, that decide on homeschooling - remember that Thomas Edison's mother were a teacher herself.