An increasing number of parents have opted to take their children out of the mainstream education system and put them in a home school setting.

For those who have an interest, or are already in the throes of home schooling, Natalie Bean has organised the Home School and True Education Seminar, which will take place from August 17 to 19, at Monte Cristo Gardens, 1 Wreck Road, Sandys (in the blue building next to Hitching Post).

The keynote speaker will be Gwen Hawkins, from College Place, Washington. Mrs. Hawkins and her husband Larry, parents of four sons, began their home school in 1975.

"Along with helping teachers and parents make intelligent decisions in such areas as philosophy, discipline and curriculum, Mrs. Hawkins has been spending time helping parents understand their proper roles of parental authority," Mrs. Bean said. Some of the topics that will be covered are the following: 'The True and False in Education', 'Effective Discipline', 'Organisation and Teaching Methods', 'Choosing Curriculum', and 'God's Order for the Family'.

Mrs. Bean said that the seminar is free to parents, teachers and others who are interested in home education.

At the moment there is not a Home Schooling Association on the Island, but she said there are a few informal home school support groups including parents and their children that have chosen to get together on occasion for learning activities or amusement. For more information contact Mrs. Bean at 236-0198 or soybeanssoybeans@hotmail.com. Home school questions email: learning4life@safe-mail.net. Also nicolestovell@hotmail.com provides resources for home schooling and the Youth Library.'