Homeschooling: Are You Looking At It As An Option?

Homeschooling is a concept where a child engages in academic pursuits from the comfort of their home. Parents, guardians and sometimes professional tutors take the responsibility of formulating an age appropriate, interest led curriculum for the child.

A question arises, why homeschooling? Honestly, homeschooling is undertaken for a variety of reasons, such as a desire for a more personalised educational experience or to support the other ambitions that a child may have.

Homeschooling could be beneficial for those children who found their calling early on, allowing them more flexibility in their schedule to practise and sharpen their creative talents or improve in areas where they need to work extra. Justin Beiber and Taylor Swift are the best examples of famous celebrity singers who were homeschooled during their teenage years when their career was peaking. Famous tennis players and sisters, Venus and Serena Williams were also homeschooled by their father.

In many countries, homeschooling is legal and recognised as a legitimate form of education. In India, homeschooling is recognised as an alternative form of education under the Right to Education Act, of 2009. However, it is not as common or as well established as it is in other countries. There are specific laws and regulations governing homeschooling, keep reading to find out more about homeschooling in India, its benefits and challenges.

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Homeschooling In India

Parents who wish to homeschool their children in India must follow the guidelines set forth by the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) or the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE). They must also ensure that their child receives a quality education and that they meet the standards as decided by their local educational authorities.

Five takeaways on homeschooling guidelines set by NIOS and IGCSE

• Curriculum: Parents are free to choose the curriculum they want to follow for their children, but they should ensure that it is comprehensive and meets the basic standards set by NIOS/IGCSE.

• Grade level and age: Parents should ensure that their child is at the appropriate age and grade level for their academic progress. They should also ensure that the child is able to cope with the demands of the curriculum.

• Resources: Parents should have access to appropriate learning resources, such as textbooks, educational software, and other materials. They can also access the resources provided by the NIOS/IGCSE.

• Assessment and evaluation: Parents are responsible for assessing and evaluating their child's progress. They can use various assessment methods, such as tests, projects, and assignments, to monitor their child's learning. The students enrol as private candidates and earn the passing certificates from NIOS/IGCSE boards similar to what normal school going students get and it is recognised throughout the country/countries. If you are going through NIOS, register online and you can appear for the exam. In case of IGCSE board, the school needs to be registered with the IGCSE board. The Cambridge board is one of the leading education boards for homeschooling in India.

• Registration and Fees: Parents need to register their child with the respective board and pay the fees mentioned on the website for examinations and other services.

Homeschooling in India is typically chosen by parents who have specific concerns about the quality of education in traditional schools, want a more individualised educational approach, or have children with special needs or disabilities.

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Benefits Of Homeschooling

• Customised Education: Homeschooling allows parents to tailor the educational experience to meet the individual needs and interests of their child. They can choose a curriculum that matches their child's learning style and pace, and provide more personalised attention to their children's academic and personal development.

• Flexibility: Homeschooling provides a high degree of flexibility in terms of scheduling and pace of learning. Parents can set their own schedules and adapt the curriculum to their family's lifestyle and priorities. It is highly suitable for those children whose parents have transferable jobs and in such cases, parents or private tutors take up the responsibility of educating the child.

• Nurturing the natural gifts: Homeschooling comes as a gift for those children who pursue other talents. Parents can take up homeschooling to help their child excel in other areas such as sports, performing arts or even become academic prodigies.

• Safe and Comfortable Environment: Homeschooling is also a good concept for those children who have special needs and can’t attend school. It helps parents provide them with an opportunity to learn and grow.

• Responsible choices: Homeschooled children are encouraged to become responsible for their learning journey from a young age. They are forced to dig deep and find creative ways to educate themselves. Over the period of years, due to independence and necessity, homeschooled children get better at knowing what they want and focus on their interests completely.

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Challenges Of Homeschooling

• Social Connect: Homeschooling can be isolating and overwhelming for both parents and children. Parents may feel burdened by the responsibility of educating their children, and children may miss the social interaction and support of a traditional school setting. Homeschooling can be a full-time responsibility, and parents can easily experience burnout if they do not work out schedules for themselves.

• Time Management: It takes lots of effort and proper time management: Homeschooling requires a lot of planning and organisation. It requires a significant amount of time and effort. Without a proper plan and schedule, it can go awry and affect the future of homeschooled children.

• Legal and cultural barriers: Homeschooling is not yet a developed or encouraged concept in India. The lack of proper guidelines, resources and a deep-rooted outlook that schools are the only places to begin real education challenges the students and parents alike. The Indian government mandates compulsory education for children aged 6-14 years, and homeschooling is not an acceptable alternative to traditional schooling.

Homeschooling can offer many benefits, such as customised learning, flexibility, nurturing natural gifts, and a safe and comfortable environment for the child. However, it also requires a significant commitment of time, effort, overcoming various challenges to ensure that children receive a quality education. The decision to homeschool is deeply personal and families should take them depending on their circumstances and requirements for the development of their child.