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Outliers: voices from an alternative form of education
Author
Hong, Lee Kiat
Supervisor
Lim-Ratnam, Christina
Abstract
Homeschooling in Singapore is apparently surviving well despite the strict Compulsory Education legislations. The literature on homeschooling in Singapore was found to be at variance with most of the literature elsewhere, and it seemed to present homeschoolers as an elitist group of religious bigots. This study is an attempt to investigate experiences of homeschooling in Singapore and is aimed at examining some accounts of homeschooling journeys. The reasons for embarking on these journeys and the challenges faced by homeschoolers were described. A review of the history of homeschooling and compulsory education was conducted. The related arguments were classified into parent, state and child centred, with the main objections briefly examined. A narrative research design was adopted and the real life stories of eleven homeschoolers were recorded and analysed. Their motivations for homeschooling were found to be centred on their children’s moral, spiritual, intellectual, psychosocial, interpersonal, family life and social emotional development. Regarding the challenges that homeschoolers face under the Compulsory Education Act, a dominant theme is the homeschoolers’ feelings of being unfairly treated in the present system. There is also lack of meaningful communication with the authorities. This study may serve as an updated and more balanced introduction to the motivations of Singaporean homeschoolers and the challenges they face. It may also function as a bridge between them and the readers, which would hopefully include state officials and mainstream educators.
Date Issued
2013
Call Number
LC40 Hon
Date Submitted
2013