Government proposes amendment to allow homeschooling for children unable to attend school

The law is being amended to facilitate home schooling in cases of absenteeism.

The government has proposed an amendment to the Education Act to allow students to receive education at home, or through a formal homeschooling programme, if they are unable to attend school.

Under the current law, the Minister has the authority to grant exemptions to children who cannot attend school due to circumstances specific to the student.

The Education Act stipulates that education is compulsory for every child between the ages of four and 16. It also requires that all children within this age group attend school from pre-school through secondary level and participate in the education system prescribed for their age.

According to the amendment proposed by Huraa constituency PNC MP Dr. Anaara Naeem, children who are unable to attend school or receive education under the homeschooling programme due to disability will not be subject to compulsory education, even though the law ordinarily mandates it.

However, parents must ensure that their children receive learning appropriate to the nature and degree of their disability.

The amendment further states that criteria must be formulated under the Education Act to determine when a child may be exempted from attending school based on the severity of the disability.