No Home Educating
Asha and I watched the 1959 version of George Stevens’ production of The Diary of Anne Frank recently. Yes, it is a long and old film, but the historical intensity of it is vital and relevant. I was surprisingly struck by the portrayal of the Star of David and the effect that it had on the lives of innocent Jewish people of Anne Frank’s time. There was a scene that really got me, the one where Peter rips off his Star of David. It was a move of defiance, risk and boldness – only necessary because of his innocence. Perhaps I am just that little bit more sensitive with the furore in the home ed world about the Badman review. I know that the two scenarios cannot possibly compare, but I think there are parallels. Some parallels.
Could we see the day when home educating families are forced to be clearly visible to the general public, forced to ensure that our dealings can be scrutinised by anyone? In a way, on reflection, I think we had a touch of this during the time that the anti-smoking bill became law. We were to display signage in places used by the public. We were to get a load of council staff to watch smokers. In a negative way, that inspired me.
It’s not that I am a smoker. In fact, I have the dubious pleasure of never having smoked a cigarette, although I passively smoked throughout my childhood. It was in the air, always. I really don’t like the habit, the smell, the ashtrays, the stubs, the cost… everything associated with it. But, I have always had friends who smoked, people I still care about very much. And now, smokers are delegated to side doors in grim alleyways. They carry on smoking, they carry on being people, with feelings, thoughts, relationships and above all are still human. But, we have stopped talking about smokers.
So, could we just as easily replace the ‘NO SMOKING’ signage with ‘NO HOME EDUCATING’ notices? If we continue to sit back and think that it’s not going to affect us, the cumulative effect of the proposed changes to home educators will ultimately affect future generations, and not just home educators. That is why it is so important to act. Now!
Ask your self some searching questions. Would you like to be treated in the way that home educators are being treated? Remember, as yet, there is absolutely no evidence to suggest that any ‘concerns’ became ‘evidence’. So, fears are unfounded. We are not hiding our children under beds and drugging them, and pretending to educate them while we languish in ashtrays and takeaway tin foil trays. We are not the ones covering up case after case of daily bullying in schools, suggesting that it is just horseplay. So, if you do feel you have to oppose the freedom offered under current law to home educators (read children and parents) do so becasue you are informed. If you have ever had any serious concerns about a child (whether home educated or not), it is your responsibility to have reported it. No ifs, no buts. If you have not got any concerns, what right to do you have to determine our future? Get some wisdom!
“When I was a boy at my father’s knee,
the pride and joy of my mother,
He would sit me down and drill me:
“Take this to heart. Do what I tell you—live!
Sell everything and buy Wisdom! Forage for Understanding!
Don’t forget one word! Don’t deviate an inch!
Never walk away from Wisdom—she guards your life;
love her—she keeps her eye on you.
Above all and before all, do this: Get Wisdom!
Write this at the top of your list: Get Understanding!
Throw your arms around her—believe me, you won’t regret it;
never let her go—she’ll make your life glorious.
She’ll garland your life with grace,
she’ll festoon your days with beauty.”
Proverbs 4:3-9
You can do something. Take a few moments to respond to the consultation proposals at the DCSF.
Pray about the situation even if you don’t really care. I’d rather be wise than wrongly accuse people of wrongdoing.
On leaving, we noticed the moon in all its glory. Even though it was late when we eventually got home, I went into the garden and managed to get some footage of the most beautiful moon, before it clouded over. Here is a bit of what I saw.
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