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Growing demand for expanding homeschooling guidelines
Homeschooling allows parents to assist their children in developing skills, talents, and abilities so that they may excel in whatever they undertake. PHOTO | COURTESY
What you need to know:
- Homeschooling, in the opinion of some analysts, would allow parents to participate actively in their children's education and would help to relieve the overcrowding in traditional classes
Dar es Salaam. There is an increasing demand for the government to create thorough regulations that acknowledge homeschooling for students without disabilities through the ministry of Education, Science and Technology.
The demand is fuelled by a desire to find more affordable alternatives to traditional learning, such as boarding schools, and to lessen the difficulties of commuting via city traffic. It is a decision that has sparked passionate discussion and debate among parents, guardians and education experts across the nation.
The recent introduction of a guide to inclusive education by the Ministry of Education, specifically focused on homeschooling for students with complex disabilities, was met with widespread praise from education stakeholders and parents. This achievement ignited discussions about the potential extension of homeschooling options to children without disabilities, a topic that has gained considerable traction.
Also read: Would you homeschool?
A proponent of homeschooling based in Dar es Salaam Ms Maggie Nnko highlighted the existing homeschooling trend, which primarily employs the Cambridge curriculum as a guide.
She expressed the need for formal recognition, stating, “There are already families educating their children through this alternative method. However, they are not using the local curriculum; most are using the Cambridge curriculum, which provides guidance on how to go about it.”
The ministry of Education has recently unveiled a comprehensive homeschool guide tailored for children with special needs, ensuring that even those unable to attend school due to disabilities or geographical constraints can access quality education.
This guide emphasises the creation of an enriching learning environment and individualised education for students with special needs.
A parent, Ms Sarah Mwakatobe, voiced her support for the guidelines, stating, “I’m thrilled that the government is taking steps to empower parents to educate their children at home. This is especially important for those of us with special needs children who require personalised attention. It’s a big step towards equal educational opportunities.” However, the excitement goes beyond homeschooling for children with disabilities. Education stakeholders and an increasing number of parents are advocating for the expansion of homeschooling options to encompass all children, regardless of their abilities.
They argue that the move would enable parents to play an active role in their children’s education and alleviate the overcrowding in traditional classrooms.
An education advocate from the University of Dar es Salaam, Dr Joseph Kimaro, pointed out successful examples from countries like South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Israel, and India, where universal homeschooling guidelines have been embraced.
He urged Tanzania to draw from their experiences to develop a system that caters to all children’s educational needs. Dr Kimaro noted that in South Africa, the Department of Basic Education provides extensive resources and support for homeschooling families, ensuring a well-rounded education outside the traditional school setting.
Similar approaches in countries like Brazil and Canada empower parents to create customised curricula tailored to their children’s interests and abilities.
Ms Nnko shed light on a current limitation: “As it stands in the country, a parent who chooses this system cannot have their child take an exam under the National Examinations Council of Tanzania (Necta). However, Cambridge provides guidance and the opportunity for children to take the exams under it.”
The Minister for Education, Prof Adolf Mkenda, shared his perspective, stating, “The guidelines for inclusive education and the recent emphasis on homeschooling are significant steps towards our goal of providing quality education to all. We are exploring more ways to expand these options and accommodate more children in alternative learning environments.”
Advancements in technology have made homeschooling an increasingly attractive option for parents. Access to online resources, digital learning platforms, and the availability of qualified teachers for hire have made homeschooling a viable alternative for many families. A parent and resident of Mwanza, Mr John Ngowi, voiced his support, saying, “I believe that if the government extends homeschooling options to all children, it will not only ease the burden on our schools but also provide an opportunity for more parents to actively engage in their children’s education.”
With the Ministry of Education’s commitment to enhancing inclusive education and the rising demand for homeschooling options, experts note that the country is moving towards providing quality education that caters to the diverse needs of all its children.
While the realisation of universal homeschooling guidelines remains uncertain, the enthusiasm of parents and stakeholders is unmistakable.
“As discussions continue, one thing is clear: the future of education in Tanzania is evolving for the better, and support for the government’s efforts to make progress in the education sector is growing,” said Dr Anneth Nnkya.
Dr Nnkya aptly summarised the sentiment, saying: “We need to be patient as we support our government in making these kinds of progress in our education sector.”
