National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC) interacted with stakeholders to share findings of a recent survey on homeschooling in Uganda.
During the workshop, held at Esella Country Hotel in Wakiso district recently, NCDC released survey findings which show an increase in the use of homeschooling as an approach to learning.
An estimated 7,000 learners are currently studying at home, according Home-scholars Uganda Group (HUG), a platform that brings together homeschooling parents.
The study conducted by NCDC aimed to establish why parents or caregivers opt for homeschooling; the methodologies used by facilitators, the resources used, and the challenges faced by parents and learners.
The meeting featured testimonies from parents and learners who have embraced homeschooling, representatives of education institutions and officials from the Ministry of Education and Sports.
I was interested in learning but had no interest in school. I opted for homeschooling, and I am now preparing to join university,’ said David Namara, one of the recent homeschooling graduates.
‘We cannot have a one-size-fits-all for educating children. When you meet my children, you will know that they have been parented; we have a sense of family and stability,’ said Agatha Kasirye, a homeschool parent.
Godfrey Kyazze, a parent who opted to homeschool all his children said: “My wife and I decided to teach all our children from home, and it has worked well. Home education goes way beyond work books and grades.”
Ms Joyce Nansubuga, the head of the Pedagogy and Innovations Department at NCDC, told participants that the Centre would use the survey findings and feedback from stakeholders to prepare a policy brief to the Ministry of Education and Sports for further guidance, as the Ministry prepares to develop a policy on homeschooling.
Advocates of homeschooling appealed to Government to support the learning approach to mitigate the costs involved in purchasing teaching and learning materials, and the policy that will streamline homeschooling.
In her recorded message during the opening ceremony, the Director NCDC, Dr Grace Baguma appealed to stakeholders to share their views on homeschooling with the Centre.
She noted that the focus of Government was that every learner has access to education, including other alternative approaches like homeschooling, which has numerous benefits if well streamlined.
See photos from album
