I'm always curious when I hear of home schooled children, how they learn to interact with others ?

I know they can play with other kids in the street, at organised activities etc, but I wonder how "real" such interaction is (i.e., the child is unlikely to pick "undesirable" friends to play with and others in the activities are likely to be like minded).

I am not intending to criticise one way or the other, I am just interested

I stuck it out - but i wouldn't put a child through that. They can be socialised, whatever that means nowadays' by local neighbourhood friends instead of bullies as well as gym or other clubs to their liking (ie doing a sport they enjoy instead of eternal hocky as thats al teh PE teacher likes), and adults.

They can grow up safe adn secure in the knowledge that learning is fun, and soemthing to enjoy, not a place they have to go and make sure they do their best not to be noticed and to stay safe.

I am not about to join the chorus of those who have so far written 'good for you, you did the right thing' because to me it is obvious. I guess there are still some so-called cowardly/apathetic parents who would not have acted but I would like to think they would have been far and few between.

Less obvious is the task of trying to get rid of a rotten apple. I am not going to dwell on the teacher mentioned above because, as has been pointed out, we have only heard one side of the story.

But in general terms the issue here is one of seniority. I do not think I have ever heard of a teacher being fired (although I imagine it must happen though). Most times these rotten apples are moved from school to school (kinda reminds me of priests who are moved from one parish to another). These people have been around for ages and are well protected by powerful unions who do a great job of intimidating so called management.

The best one can realistically hope for is that they get a good talking to and thus change their nasty ways.

PS. In retrospect I can think of a few cases of teachers getting the boot but that was for unrelated 'crimes'. It must be just a little embarrasing when one of your 14 year old pupils gets you pregnant and, that, with your consent.

Oh yeah. And that too.

Agree with Caitlin.