jurisdictions, 'education' is considered as an
indispensable part of a child's rights.
In the UK, education has always commanded a high
priority in the society. The government, in turn, has
always adopted a liberal education policy, as
highlighted from the laws of the land. That's why the
concept of Home Education (HE) has always been an
integral part of society in the UK.
Why Home Education?
Due to a multicultural and plural society as prevalent
in the UK, the reasons for parents to opt for Home
Education may vary. Some of the common factors
influencing parents' decisions regarding the
educational needs of their children include:
- Religious, philosophical, or spiritual compulsions
- Unsatisfactory school system
- Lack of suitable schools in the locality
- To meet the specific and/or special needs of some
children, like those suffering from diseases such as
Cerebral Palsy, autism etc.
- Failure of child and school management to effectively
tackle certain conditions in school, like bullying,
corporal punishment etc.
- Financial reasons etc.
Recently, the Parental Responsibility has emerged as
one of the major reasons for Home-Educating children in
the UK. More and more parents are trying to learn the
art of true parenthood and are relishing the additional
responsibility of being (actually) responsible for the
growth of the thought process in the child.
Whatever may be the compelling circumstances, Home
Education is here to stay, and is being increasingly
preferred in the UK. An estimated 100,000 children
between the ages of 5 and 16 are being given Home
Education by their parents in the United Kingdom, and
the figure is likely to increase in the coming years.
Benefits of Home Education
Home Education (tutorial-based teaching) has several
advantages over classroom education (instructions-based
teaching). Some of these include:
1. The child tends to receive individualistic and far
more attention at home than at school.
2. Comfortable home environment in the company of
parents gives the child an ideal environment to learn.
3. The absence of awe-inspiring teachers means quick
feedback from the child to assess his/her learning
capabilities.
4. The Child can learn at their own pace, and follow
their own curriculum and interests.
5. Enhanced self-motivation and self-discipline in the
child.
6. Instilment of parental values instead of peer values
in the child.
7. Cultivation of courage to arrive at independent
decisions.
8. Avoid destructive competition in search of better
grades from the peers and fellow students.
9. Special children need special attention that can
only be provided under home conditions.
10. Above all, as a parental responsibility of teaching
your child, nothing is more beneficial and satisfactory
than to take complete responsibility of your child's
education.
Shortcomings of Home Education
One must also consider some disadvantages of Home
Education before deciding the academic future of the
child. Some of these include:
1. Non-development of social skills due to the absence
of interaction with peers and teachers.
2. Special expertise and skills required to teach may
be lacking in the parents. Moreover, they might not be
abreast of the latest technologies and teaching aids
that might help the child learn better.
3. Even both the parents combined may not know all the
subjects required for the proper education of the
child.
4. Parents may ultimately spend a considerable amount
of time equipping themselves with the skills to teach
their child; thus, losing out on the chance to
supplement the family income.
5. Laboratories, gyms, and other facilities provided by
school authorities may not be accessible from home.
6. A child's progress will not be adequately monitored,
especially as they do not have to follow the National
Curriculum or take SATs.
Home Education in UK - Legal Aspect
The UK is divided into different legal jurisdictions.
For instance, there are different sets of laws
applicable in England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern
Ireland. However, substantially, all these
jurisdictions follow similar legal principles and
postulates, with minor variations.
Home Education has legal sanction in all three regions
in the UK. Section 7 of the Education Act 1996 (England
and Wales), Sections 30 of Education (Scotland) Act
1980, and Article 45 of Education and Libraries
(Northern Ireland) Order 1986, are the relevant legal
provisions that provide the requisite teeth to the
concept of Home Education in the UK.
Here is the summary of these legalities as applicable
in the UK:
Only 'education' is compulsory under UK laws and not
'schooling.'
No qualification is prescribed for the parents desirous
of giving Home Education to their child.
Parents are at absolute liberty to decide how they want
their child to be educated at home.
No compulsion of following the National Curriculum or
observing school hours.
Parents must ensure that their child receives an
efficient full time education, suitable to his/her age,
ability and aptitude, and to any special educational
needs the child may have.
Parents are not legally obligated to inform the Local
Education Authority (LEA) when they decide to educate
their children at home. If the child has never been
registered at a State school, or if you move to an area
served by another LEA, you are not obliged to notify
the LEA, although you may do so if you wish. If you are
taking your child out of a state school in England or
Wales, the head teacher must remove the child's name
from the register and inform the LEA. If your child has
special needs and attends a special school, you need
permission to deregister.
However, if you are withdrawing your child from a State
school in Scotland, the LEA must be informed.
No special Government grants are available for Home
Education in UK.
No formal tests are required to pass by the child.
However, the LEA may ask for information informally at
intervals to monitor your child's progress.
There is no prohibition on the Home Education of a
statemented child provided he/she is not attending a
special school, in which case you need the consent of
the LEA.
Home-Educated children can take GCSEs as private
candidates or as students of correspondence courses.
However, it is not compulsory to take GCSEs.
To address the concern for social deprivation of Home-
Educated children, in many areas, home educators meet
regularly for social, educational, and other
activities. Children also attend clubs, classes,
sporting and leisure activities in the community.
Children get to interact with people of all ages as
well as their peers.
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