As a homeschool parent, I have noticed that in the last few years, a lot of curiosity has been generated around homeschooling. I feel that it is becoming a popular choice and alternate route to educating our children.
The actual Government educational figures in Australia have not been updated since 2018. Back then it was estimated that 20 000 students were formally registered with the Education Department.
However, this did not include students enrolled in Distance Education or online courses throughout Australia. It also did not include those families that have been estimated to have defied the formal registration process. It is estimated another 15 000 added to the figures.
” Informally in 2022, it Is estimated that there were 12.4% more students studying at home through accredited distance education programs in Queensland independent schools than there were before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and 52% more than five years ago.”
It is interesting to know that in 2013, around 1,100 students were being homeschooled in Queensland. By 2018, this had increased to 3,232 students.
The numbers are also increasing in other states.
- New South Wales, has an estimated 4,700 students enrolled in homeschool in 2017 compared to around 3,300 in 2013.
- In Victoria approx. 5,300 children were being homeschooled in 2018, compared to 3,545 children in 2013.
Why Are More Parents Choosing to Homeschool?
Based on the figures above, one can presume that it is parents who are consciously making informed decisions on the type of learning experience they want their child exposed to.
This can be attributed to many factors including:
- Disheartened by the lack of discipline in the classroom
- Excessive distractions in classrooms with negative student behaviour
- Violence in the classroom
- Large student numbers in classrooms
- limited teaching resources
- Outdated teaching methods
- Outdated curriculum content
- Lack of one-on-one student coaching and encouragement in the classroom
- Stressed and overwhelmed teachers in the classroom
- Limited resources for students with learning needs
- Limited resources for gifted students
- Issues with Bullying
- Rigid timetables and lack of flexibility
- Excessive homework
- Incomplete daily lessons equated to more after-school homework
With my own research on this topic, I can say with an informed opinion that Homeschooling is becoming increasingly popular every year. It is a decision that parents are intentionally making for the well-being of their child/ren and the lifestyle they wish to lead.
Homeschooling provides more flexibility and freedoms that impact a family lifestyle and the mental health and well-being of the child/ren and parents alike.
With this in mind what are some of the benefits of Homeschooling?
Benefits of Homeschooling
With this increase in popularity, what are some of the benefits of this style of education?
- Academic flexibility
- Fosters autonomous learning & motivation
- Parental choice of pace and approach to learning
- Meeting current needs and attention immediately should the child need it.
- A warm family environment to learn in
- limits bullying exposure
- Efficient learning with options on the length of lesson time and timetable for subjects.
- Meaningful learning with content that is interesting for the student/child
- More time to focus on problem areas
- No school uniforms to iron
- Accommodating special situations and needs
- You can travel more
- Limited or reduced formal testing
- Less stress and pressure on the student
- Focus on life skills that can be incorporated into the subject content
- Enhanced self-motivation
- Enjoy close family relationships
- Foster less peer dependence
- Living a unique lifestyle
- Saving money
- Freedom from a school schedule
So with these positive benefits, it is certainly worth a deep dive into the world of homeschooling or Distance Education. Remember that as a parent you have the power to dictate the type of learning you wish for your child//family.
On the flip side, you may find the responsibility too heavy or it is financially a strain if one parent has to give up a working wage to stay at home as the tutor. Regardless, if you find that you have a curiosity about this subject I would encourage you to do some research and assess which route of education suits your child and your family.
With Love and Kindness
Ursula x
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How to Homeschool – The Good the Bad and the Ugly Realities of Doing it Successfully
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About The Author
My name is Ursula Boston. I’ve been educating my daughters as a proud homeschool mum for nearly 20 years. Alongside managing our household and small business from home.
If you want to learn how to do this from someone who has actually done it. Twice! I will show you HOW.
