We are excited to share that the first book that extensively examines the local homeschooling landscape is coming into print!
“Homeschooling in Singapore: An Education” is a labour of love by Dawn Fung, founder of Homeschool Singapore. The 300-page manuscript is described by Assoc Prof Kamaludeen Mohamed Nasir from Nanyang Technological University as “a treasure trove of information.”
About the Book
Homeschooling in Singapore: An Education is a book about its existence, complexity, challenges and growing attraction as a viable option, even as Singapore’s school education ranks top in the world. What is homeschooling and why do people choose to homeschool in Singapore?
The book traces the origins of homeschooling in world education, why homeschooling cannot be seen as merely ‘school at home’ and the exciting possibilities of reframing education anew in Singapore.
In the midst of her daughter’s first Primary School Leaving Examinations (PSLE) experience, Dawn ploughed through mounts of books, papers from academic journals and various think tanks, and even parliamentary debates since the 1950s. Intent on incorporating the diverse voices of homeschoolers in Singapore, the book includes thorough interviews with 19 homeschooling parents and is backed by original data from surveys conducted amongst homeschooling parents and members of the public.
The hard work paid off handsomely, with the book earning stellar reviews from two local academics.
“Singapore’s education system has been critically acclaimed around the world as being ‘world-class.’ Why, then, do a small minority of parents choose, instead, to homeschool their children? Homeschooling in Singapore: An Education introduces us to the little understood phenomenon of homeschooling in Singapore. Dawn Fung provides insight into the diversity that characterises homeschoolers by relating her personal experiences as well as those of other homeschooling parents. This book raises intriguing questions about the fundamental purposes of education that are instructive for parents, teachers, students and policymakers.”
Associate Professor of Policy, Curriculum & Leadership at the National Institute of Education, Singapore
“This is the first book to examine the homeschooling scene in Singapore extensively. It presents a treasure trove of information about homeschooling and homeschoolers, highlighting the adaptive qualities of homeschoolers who function in a coercive environment where suffering together through the education system is a rite of passage to being Singaporean. Dawn Fung has done remarkably well to capture the evolution of homeschooling in our city-state as well as the struggles, negotiations, and aspirations of homeschooling parents for themselves and for the future generations. As much as Homeschooling in Singapore: An Education speaks to the local education system, it is essentially global in outlook as seen in the diverse curriculum and pedagogical approaches embraced. This book is a must read for both specialists and the general public alike who are interested in the education landscape in Singapore and the innovative approaches to learning adopted by its citizenry.”
Associate Professor of Sociology at the Nanyang Technological University Singapore, and co-author of The Future of Singapore: Population, Society and the Nature of the State
At the same time, the project was far from being a solo effort.
Tipping over the balance to the lighter side of things, the book incorporates recipes curated by Anju Charles who believes that, “Food is the soul of a community.”
Christine Tan-Eng and her daughter, Eliana Tan designed the full-sized cover illustration. Speaking of their collaboration, “This illustration (project) gave Eliana and me many enjoyable hours of dreaming up ideas and drawing together.”
Image Credit: Anju Charles 
Image Credit: Word Image
Get the book now for the Pre-Launch Special
The book, which will retail at $30, is now available at a pre-launch price of $25. Be invited to a special session with the author before her book launch if you purchase the book before 5 Dec 2021.
Set a date with your friends and family for the official book launch online on 18 Dec 2021. Check out Dawn Fung’s website for more information.
Come join in celebrating this admirable achievement by one of us!