With more education reforms and regulations, it is becoming increasingly common for parents to explore the option of homeschooling their children. With homeschooling seen as an increasingly viable option for many families, an important question arises: does China allow homeschooling?
This article will explore the answer to this question, beginning with an introduction to homeschooling and discussing the laws that apply to it in China. Additionally, the article will delve into the opinions of both those who are for and against the concept of homeschooling in the country.
Introduction to Homeschooling
Homeschooling is a form of education where a family or an accredited tutor educates a child (or group of children) at home instead of sending them to a conventional public or private school. Homeschooling is also referred to as home education or home learning.
It is commonly thought that homeschooling provides the child with an individualized education tailored to their specific needs and abilities. Homeschooling is becoming increasingly popular all the world. According to a report by The National Center for Education Statistics, an estimated
3 million students in the US are homeschooled, a steady increase of 8% – 15% per year over the past couple of decades.
Homeschooling Laws in China
While homeschooling is strictly regulated in many countries in the world, such as the US and UK, the answer to the question “Does China allow homeschooling?” is uncertain.
Services, such as tuition and Online teaching, are legally allowed, however, the laws on homeschooling are not quite as clear. This is mostly due to the fact that there are no clear laws on homeschooling in the Chinese Educational Law. Although the Chinese educational system does not directly address or permit homeschooling, there is a growing acceptance towards the idea in some parts of the country.
The only official document that mentions it is the 2008 Outline of Chinese Education Reform, but this does not provide any direct legal guidance or regulations on the process. Advocates of homeschooling in China point to the fact that the country does allow for a type of alternative education known as “special education” or “special teaching”.
These educational options are commonly used for students with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, or mental disabilities. Homeschooling is considered to be a form of special education, and so it is technically allowed under the law.
Pros and Cons of Homeschooling in China
Despite the uncertain laws, there are those in China who both support and oppose the idea of homeschooling. Advocates argue that it provides children with a more personalized education that is tailored towards their individual needs and abilities. Homeschooled students in China have also been shown to perform better in national exams and score higher on standardized tests than those who attend conventional schools.
Opponents of homeschooling argue that it can lead to the exclusion of children from other social activities and the emergence of family and community prejudices against homeschoolers. Additionally, the lack of clear laws and regulations on the concept can be seen as a disadvantage, leading to a lack of trust in the education system of the country.
Conclusion
To summarize, while the laws on homeschooling in China remain unclear, there is a growing acceptance of the concept in some parts of the country. Homeschooled students in China have been shown to achieve higher results in national exams and standardized tests, however, the lack of legal guidance and the potential for the exclusion of students from other social activities are a disadvantage.
Ultimately, it is up to the parents to decide which way of education is best for their children.