No matter what your kids learn in school, there will always just be some additional things that you want your kids to know. This is especially true if you live in a foreign country.
For example, I am American, and Feyma is an American Citizen too. As such, we feel that it is important for our kids to learn about some things that just are not taught in Philippine Schools. I am not putting down on Philippine schools by saying this, I am simply saying that their education is skewed with a Philippine viewpoint. Wait before you attack me – I am also willing to say that American schools teach with a viewpoint that is skewed with a US viewpoint. I am not saying that such skewing of the viewpoint is wrong, what I am saying is that I prefer for my kids to learn both sides of the story.
This is particularly true when it comes to history. And, I make this statement with two things in mind. What is taught in US schools in regard to history between the USA and the Philippines is different from what is taught here with regards to history betwen the Philippines and the USA. I am not saying that one is right and the other is wrong, I am saying, though, that the lessons, even on the same topic, are different. They are different because each side may see the exact same incident through two different vantage points, thus leading to different conclusions.
Now, when there are two different conclusions to the same event, I believe that it would be to my kids’ benefit to learn each side and make their own judgment as to where the truth lies for them. Problem is, in the schools (on either side of the ocean) they get only one side of the story.
The second thing in my mind on this matter is that certain things would not be taught in history here. For example, they would not learn about the US Civil War in school here, as it is of no relevance to the vast majority of the students in the Philippines. Just as US students would never learn about Dr. Jose Rizal in American schools – he simply is not relevant to US history for the most part. That being said, I want my kids to learn about both – the Civil War and Jose Rizal. The question is, how to accomplish this.
There are actually many ways to round off your kids’ education with additional information. The easiest is to find websites about events that you feel are important, and let your kids read these sites. Have them learn about history from their “other” country through reading and researching the web. I have gone so far as to tell them to learn about a certain subject, and then to quiz them (verbally or in writing) about the subject. I find this quite effective too. A few years back, I wanted my son to learn about U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, and I used this method. He knows quite a bit about the 16th US President now. He never would have learned this in Philippine Schools either.
Another thing that I like to do to further my kids’ education on US History is to download TV shows over the Internet. There are a lot of TV shows that are very accurate and informative, especially shows from The History Channel and PBS. For example, a few years back there was a series of ten TV shows called “Ten Days that Changed America” on the History Channel. Each show was about one day in American History that made an impact on the nation that survives today. Each of these events was an important thing that I wanted my kids to know about, and now they do, because I had them watch each of these shows in the series. I do the same with other series too. And, I include historical shows from not only the USA, but from other countries too, if the events depicted are important to the knowledge of my kids.
A third option to consider is to enroll your kids in some of the online educational opportunities that are available on the Internet. Many schools from Grammar School through College offer online opportunities for learning, and these are possibly good for the learning of your kids, whether full time, or as a supplemental tool.
Remember, I am not downing the Philippine schools with this article, just saying that there are some things that are not part of the curriculum here, and can easily be added to your kids’ learning with a little diligence from the Parents. I know that it works for me.
Hi bob.
I totally agreed with what you said about education.
Yes.
It is important to understand someone else's perspective and
to realize we can only see one face of the truth.
Bob, As usual this post was thought provoking, especially sinceI have been an American history teacher for the past 40 years and I have read and thought a lot about the American experience in the Philippines.Of course my thinking might not have produced much. lol!Anyway since My asawa and I will be coming to the Philippines in March 2009 ,maybe to retire full time, I have thought about trying some cyber teaching myself, so I was pleased that you feel some internet teaching has been helpful. By the way, a very good book about the American experience in the Philippines is Lewis Gleeck's The American Half Century in the Philippines. Gleeeck spent a number of years with the state dept. and US Aid in the Philippines. Thanks again.Richard W
Hi Ichi – I agree too. It's always good to learn both sides of any story!
Hi Richard Wilson – Good luck with your online teaching, I hope it does very well for you! Where will you be settling in the Philippines?
You are not downing philippine schools? You are being much too kind haha!
Hi stibs – I am not sure I fully understand what you are saying. Do you mean that I should be downing Philippine schools? Personally I don't agree with that. If I did, I would not live here, and would not send my kids to school here. There are many good schools here, you just have to shop around for the right one.
Bob,
In the U.S. , as i'm sure you know, no formal religious expression is allowed in public schools. I actually think it is a good thing to keep religion seperate from education, unless someone is attending a private school, like Catholic school. I've got no problem with teaching about the different religions, but I don't think one faith should be expressed, when not everyone is of the same faith. Is group prayer allowed in public school in the Philippines?
Thanks
Joe
Bob,
I would be very inclined to agree with you on the Philippine Education System. although, I would like for my kids to learn about American history and customs, I feel that they are much better off growing up and learning from a Philippine point of view then from an American point of view. As we all know American perspective can at times be very influenced. ha-ha, I would be more in tune with downing the American education system then the Philippine Education System. Although, As you said it is a good thing that they learn both prospective. I have a friend in Bohol that is the president of Bohol Foundation for the Deaf and Mute. (Give me time to do the research and I will post a site for his objective) That had his children grow up in the Philippine Education System then gave them a choice (As I will) to go to collage in the US or the Philippines.
Thank You,
Bob, We will begin in Baybay Leyte where we have a house and where Jojo's( my wife) family live. However because of medical care, boredom(lol) and schools ( We have adopted our nephew) we will probably wind up in Cebu. My cyber teaching is a still a work in progress, though I am learning a lot from your virtual earnings site. Keep up the good work. Richard W.
Hi Joe Parisi – Since Catholicism is so prevalent in the Philippines, Catholic prayers are indeed said even in public schools here. It's not like the States where religion is banned totally from public schools. I will say that the first time I experienced this, I was quite shocked, because it is so off-limits in the USA.
Hi Mike K. – Thanks for sharing your interesting comments. I don't feel that it's better to learn from a Philippine viewpoint, I actually feel that either viewpoint is as valuable as the other, I just want my kids to learn both. It is summer vacation now, and I give my kids a US history based homework assignment to do every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. It gives them something to do during summer vacation, and hopefully spurs some learning too! 😆
Hi Richard Wilson – It sounds like you have a nice life ahead! I wish you the best of luck with your goals!
Introducing Sir Dennis Drake
This man has been in the Philippines assisting those in need for more then 20 years.
http://ideadeaf.org/?cat=11
Hi Mike K – thanks for sharing that!
i guess i can share some ideas.
i grew up knowing infinitely more about US history than Philippine history, Having some interest in history & the sheer volume of reference about the US helps. i find myself knowing more about american history than many americans i meet here in the US.
This might or might not work, but it did for me.
having an encyclopedia set. so old school, i know. bear with me.
as you know, the movie culture is ingrained in the philippine society. movies about vietnam, ww2 and civil rights movement are wonderful points of reference. they may not be factual but they spark interest & curiosity in kids minds (well, mine anyway).
i would watch a movie, say braveheart (i know scottish, hey its an example) and then i'd be moved to know more about william wallace or robert the bruce ("was it all real?"). i'd check them out in the encyclopedia set i had in my room. sometimes an animated or sci-fi movie, a video game or tv show sparked an interest in me.
hitler, lincoln, mlk, ww2, basketball, dinosaurs or apollo 11. i read about them and i didn't have to. they just seemed cool in the movies. no need to log on or do research and maybe wander & surf.
just plain old fashioned curiosity. maybe i'd get bored or not touch a book for months but a US encyclopedia set in my room did wonders for answering many questions (if i had one).
it was all because i had the resources right in my room. it wasn't homework — if it was, i'd avoid doing it as long as possible. no pressure at all.
like i said, it might not work for everyone, but it did for me. movies, encyclopedias & a weird kid's curiosity.
hi macky – thanks for sharing those thoughts, very interesting and thought provoking!