While homeschooling isn't currently a practical alternative in Hong Kong, growing numbers of parents in China, the UK, America and around the world choosing this as an option for their children may mean the situation here will change in time.

With that in mind, this week we will consider some of the pros and cons of homeschooling as an educational option.

For students who have previously found it difficult to fit into a more conventional educational system then homeschooling may be the answer.

This could mean children who have special needs, particularly bright students who outpace their peers or students who want to move at a faster pace for other reasons, for example, if they want to skip a grade. Students who are homeschooled are also likely to be more well-rested as those they study with can set the timings of the "school day".

Furthermore, all the time such students spend studying should be effective.

There is none of the busy work associated with conventional school curriculums, nor do students have to engage in activities they don't enjoy. Instead they can spend their time working toward targeted goals, including scoring well in specific examinations.

Another benefit is of course the intellectual, emotional and physical freedom that homeschooling provides. Those with the greatest investment in a child can set the curriculum and provide a stable environment that is more conducive to targeted learning. However, as with any educational system, it is not perfect.

There will be both time and financial restraints that could effect your decision.

As homeschooling is normally the primary responsibility of one parent then the demands of doing a good job will take up a lot of their time. For this and a number of other reasons, some parents like to hire tutors to help them in their task.

It could also be financially limiting as one parent must give up work (or at least drastically reduce their hours) in order to fulfill this task, which naturally has an impact on family resources.

Furthermore, children might not have to participate in sports, school plays or other activities, but this doesn't mean that they won't want to.

Opportunities for homeschooled kids to socialize with other students can be more limited, so involving them in outside sports teams or clubs may be advisable. Kids might want to get ahead academically but this can be detrimental if they feel isolated or lacking in friends.

Despite these downsides, one thing homeschooling does ensure is the ability of parents to monitor the progress of their children closely.

While homeschooling is not yet a viable option in Hong Kong things look ready to change in the near future, so it might be a smart move for some parents to consider.

 

© 晉博教學中心 Brighten Test Prep Centre