TheJakartaPost
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Education for the young -- Feb. 23, p. 7
As an American who is currently home schooling three children, I feel that I need to point out an error
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As an American who is currently home schooling three children, I feel that I need to point out an error. Americans do not get their homeschool materials from public schools. Some do, but that is called a "virtual school".
The vast majority of homeschooling families in America have to buy their own books and supplies out of their own pockets, on top of paying taxes that fund the public school they do not use. The schools are not obligated in any way to help the parents educate their children.
While many school districts across the country allow homeschoolers to participate in activities and testing, there are just as many districts that refuse to give homeschooling families the time of day.
Our federal government does not make laws about homeschooling, it is left up to the states to regulate. Some states are very strict in regulations for homeschoolers to follow. Other states are extremely lax.
That said, I have no idea what homeschooling looks like in Canada. I can only speak for myself, and my experiences here in America.
LORRAINE
Virginia
I'd like to correct the misinformation provided in this article saying that in the U.S. and Canada, for parents who want to homeschool their children, the school district by law has the obligation to provide parents with the necessary things to help them carry on the educational program at home.
That is completely untrue. At least in most states.
Each state determines their homeschooling laws, so there are 50 different laws under which U.S. citizens homeschool. None of them, to my knowledge, are given any curriculum or assistance by the government.
CAROLYN
Melbourne
Careful who you curse -- Feb. 23, p. 3
Did anyone really believe Indonesia was a democracy? Freedom of speech? Freedom of religion? Rule of law? The country appears to be run by despotic money grabbers on every level. Personal gain seems to be the major incentive for seeking governmental positions.
Providing good governance and public service are way down on the list. Look at Depok, Tangerang, Bukit Tinggi and Aceh, to name but a few parts of the country. From these examples of blatant breaches of human rights and democratic principles, it would appear that Indonesia is marching rapidly back into the dark ages.
PAUL
Jakarta
JP caricature -- Feb. 22, p. 7
The caricature (The Jakarta Post, Feb. 22, page 7) pictures a man falling. He is bearded and smoking a cigar. To me, he looks like a dinosaur or chameleon.
Pieces of hammer and sickle that he wears are partly falling off. He must be President Fidel Castro who recently resigned.
The hammer and sickle must be symbolic, rather than real. Visiting Havana after the fall of the Berlin Wall, I was surprised not to see any hammer and sickles in public places any more.
RAHARDJO MUSTADJAB
Jakarta
