Have you considered home schooling as a viable option?

Many have and do. For some it really works for their family and situation.

At any given time there is estimated that around 50,000 children are home schooled illegally.  That is that their parents haven’t registered them and since it is compulsory for a child to attend school between the ages of 6 and 17 or have them registered for home schooling they are considered to be illegally home schooling their children. Having said that there are approximately 942 children registered with home schooling but the fear is that it could actually be around 10,000 home schooling ‘underground’ in QLD alone.

Until now there hasn’t really been a crack down on this but things are changing and parents can now find themselves potentially facing prosecution if their child is not registered in some sort of schooling. To say you are homeschooling will not be enough.

There was a case a few years ago where a father was charged under the Queensland Education Act. He was found guilty for not registering his daughter in home schooling or a school and fined was $300 + court costs. He said he didn’t register for home schooling as he saw education as a parental right.

Now it is important to point out that there is a difference between home schooling and distance education. Distance education is for parents who are unable for many reasons, such as remoteness or travel, not able to access schooling whereas home schooling is a specialized choice to educate your child at home. We have done distance education as it fit our family when we travel. You do have to register for distance education too.

Generally, families choose the type of education for their family that best fits their needs, lifestyle and situation. For some home schooling just works. It is a choice. It is not a easy option as there is a lot of time, effort and sacrifice that is required but the families that make that informed and conscious choice are willing to take on the responsibility of their child’s education in the belief it is the best option.

There have been surveys done to try to see why there is a trend for home schooling and the reasons behind it.

Take the Tasmanian Home Education Advisory Council who asked 600 registered parents why and the results were mixed. 27% did so because they were unhappy with their local school, 17% cited religion, nearly ½ listed philosophical reasons, 7% as they had a child with special needs. It was similar results in a survey Education Queensland conducted.

To register for home schooling in NSW for example you complete an application form and you are assessed as to the suitability for successfully home schooling. It seems quite an in-depth process.

The issue for the education departments is the lack of monitoring and standards of the education given to children if they are not registered.