#Homeschooling is becoming a common option for families wishing to be more involved in their children\’s education. The government is pushing to ensure every child has the right to education. To facilitate this universal education scheme, the Indian legal system does not consider homeschooling or online teaching to contravene any clause or condition of the Right to Education Act (RTE 2009). Additionally, many states have chimed in to accept and acknowledge homeschooling. The current homeschooling scenario in India is not a battle won overnight but years of turmoil that started in the 1970s. Mumbai and Bangalore have legalised home schooling, while Pune has the highest number of support groups for homeschoolers. Homeschooling is gaining traction with over 300 million children benefitting worldwide.
Homeschoolers can take the CBSE Board\’s Class 10 and Class 12 just as private candidates. For example, the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) provides open primary education for students aged 5 to 14, comparable to classes 3, 5, and 7. Pupils can also choose between a Secondary Education Course, a Senior Secondary Course, the Cambridge Assessment International Examination (CAIE) and an International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE). Regardless, they are ineligible to sit the ICSE and ISC examinations, but they will be eligible for college entrance if they pass the other exams.
According to the most recent data from the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), there were 8.77 lakh registered homeschoolers in India in 2020, though this number comprised only pupils who had enrolled with NIOS for homeschooling students.
Pros of Homeschooling:
- Individualised learning experiences based on interests, educational behaviour, interests, and learning styles.
- Greater freedom in scheduling, pace, and curriculum selection.
- Secure and monitored learning environment devoid of bullying, peer pressure, and other harmful effects.
Cons of Homeschooling:
- Assistance required for applying to universities or joining the workforce, and specialised resources to be arranged for, such as scientific laboratories or technology equipment.
- Lack of social connections and friendships that accompany attending a typical school.
- Comparatively expensive and time-consuming considering parents must acquire learning resources and pay for private tuition.
- Limited extracurricular opportunities.
