Due to the pandemic and dissatisfaction with teaching pedagogy, many parents in India have shifted their focus to homeschooling their children. But what is homeschooling? Homeschooling can be described as the practice of educating a child in a home setting under the guidance of their parents or hired tutors. It is often used interchangeably as unschooling which is a type of homeschooling or deschooling which transition to homeschooling depending on different structures and philosophies of home-based education. Homeschooling allows the child to grow and learn in their areas of interest, alongside a course curriculum, and explore more than the pre-packaged, confined courses in school. Indian parents are increasingly gravitating towards homeschooling for various reasons, including concerns about the quality of education, exposure to religious or moral values, as well as worries about the child's physical and mental health.
Most children who are homeschooled in India are from urban areas, typically coming from middle and upper-class backgrounds and having a stay-at-home parent, usually the mother. Educated Indian parents are willing to invest their time and attention in harbouring their children’s interests along with fulfilling their educational needs. Although homeschooling is popularised by Western countries like the US, it is not new to India. For centuries, affluent families in India have homeschooled their children, primarily based on their cultural and religious backgrounds. Since the nineteenth century, Indian philosophers and scholars have advocated for it, as they believe education should be child-centred and foster their inner passions.
Contrary to popular belief, homeschooling isn’t illegal in India. It is recognised by the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), a government agency in India, which has enabled homeschooling parents to register their children and take the required examinations to gain admission to colleges since 2011. It also aligns with the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act (RTE) in the Indian Constitution, which permits parents to educate their children aged 6-14 years in the manner they consider best.
However, some people have raised questions about the effectiveness of educating children at home compared to educating them in the classroom environment. Research indicates that homeschoolers tend to excel academically compared to their peers in public schools. This is because there is no fear of competition or pressure, which helps children explore their curiosity and ideas at their own pace. Researchers have debated the effectiveness of homeschooling for some time, not necessarily in relation to the academic success of the child, but rather in concerns about social life and the potential for religious indoctrination in homeschooled children. A child's social life, while not limited to the school environment, benefits from traditional schools that provide a diverse mix of individuals from different cultural and religious backgrounds, helping students develop skills for real-world interactions. It also fosters healthy competition among peers and motivates individuals to strive for personal growth and advancement in life. In India, parents have options to choose from various boards of education, including state, central government, and international options, depending on the child's prospects, potential, and the family's financial accessibility.
Parents who homeschool typically want to control the environment in which their child is educated; this control can sometimes stem from their own religious and moral obligations rather than pedagogical concerns. In a country where the values and culture are deeply influenced by religion, these unschooled children may only come across radicalised ideas that align with their parents' beliefs, thus restricting their exposure to a broader global perspective. This, combined with the absence of external influence from the wider community, can be an isolating experience for the child.
While considering whether to homeschool your child or not, you have to evaluate your motivations, strengths, and circumstances as a family. Currently, the available evidence makes it challenging to determine the learning outcomes of homeschoolers due to the lack of longitudinal data on homeschooling research. Many studies also fail to assess the success of children in college, jobs, and achieving daily life goals. There are also no studies that have thoroughly examined homeschooling in depth in India, as it is a growing concept. In today’s urbanised India with overeducated parents and suburban lifestyles, homeschooling can be an excellent option for a child, especially those with special needs or exceptionally gifted. Unfortunately, traditional schools in India often prioritise rote learning over promoting critical thinking and the application of concepts. Ultimately, the responsibility for educating a child rests with the parents, who must make wise decisions for their child based on their needs and potential, free from any internal biases they may hold. Any learning environment that fosters a child’s ideas, interests, and appreciates their intellect is a safe environment for the child to achieve their full academic potential.
Sian Martis
