For a moment, let us leave aside what formal education contributes to a child. Here is what my wife and I had set as simple goals for our son:

• Habit of reading
• Writing as a means to think, clarify thoughts and communicate
• Comfort with numbers/ maths and logical thinking
• General awareness and information pool to draw from
• Play team sports; aspire to excel; work as a team
• Learn consistent practice, discipline and persistent pursuit in a few interest areas
• Simple and direct experiences (not merely electronically or secondary)