“I will support him in whatever he wants to do”

“He doesn’t have to get Number 1”

“Dunia akan kiamat jugak… modern education is not relevant”

As much as I’d like to convince myself as the parent that’ll say the things above – I cannot help steering his educational journey in a direction for the world I think I am preparing him to go to. They type of world or ways of living that need good grades or some sort of kecerdikan to get what they want. Often I hear of parents who choose to get off mainstream education for a bigger purpose. To me, it is fine because they have set their minds for their kids to live a certain life as an adult.

Kids are sent to Tahfiz because their parents want them to memorize the Quran and become Khalifah more religiously. To shun Dunia and accept akhirat fully.

Kids are enrolled in Sports school because the parent dreams of the child excelling as a sportsman, to compete and bring pride to the country.

Kids go to boarding schools because these institutions provide the opportunity for them to climb up the social ladder and give back to their families in the future by earning a good income and reputation.

Some parents withdraw their kids from all forms of literary education altogether be it mainstream, private, tahfiz or homeschooling. As they prefer the child trained to earn a living to fulfil their basic needs such as food, water and having a roof over their head.

Either way, it is the responsibility of the parent to prepare the child for the world they are aiming for. There is only so much as an outsider of the family can offer assistance, awareness or aid to encourage children to get an education.