Homeschooling is becoming increasingly popular all over the world for various reasons. Parents want to be more involved in their childrens’ education, flexible schedules, and avoiding the pitfalls of public education. Unfortunately, in some countries homeschooling is illegal, and the consequences can be quite dire.
In this article, we’ll take a look at what countries have outlawed homeschooling and what the general regulations are.
What is Homeschooling?
Homeschooling is the practice of providing an education to children outside the traditional classroom setting. Rather than attending public schools, homeschooling children are taught primarily in the home by a parent or other designated tutor. According to the US Department of Education, homeschooling parents can design their own curriculum, choose their own learning resources and materials, and choose how and what their child learns.
All of this adds up to a great amount of flexibility, both in terms of location and the pace of learning.
What Countries is Homeschooling Illegal?
Though homeschooling is legal in most countries around the world, there are some that have made it illegal, either outright or with certain restrictions in place. These restrictions can vary greatly, depending on the country, but in general they focus on compulsory education. In some countries, this means attendance of a government-recognized school while in other countries, parents must enroll in an approved tuition program.
The countries that have outlawed homeschooling include Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Russia, Spain and Turkey. Each of these countries have a set of rules and regulations when it comes to homeschooling, which parents must abide by.
Among them, there are commonly three major regulations – that homeschooling must be approved prior to beginning, that homeschooled students must take tests or assessments to demonstrate their knowledge, and that homeschooled students must attend additional instructional classes.
What Are The Consequences for Violating Homeschooling Laws?
Violating the laws in any of these countries can lead to severe repercussions, ranging from fines to parental imprisonment. In Austria, for example, homeschooling parents can be fined up to €15,000 and even face a jail sentence of up to one year.
The same applies in Poland, where fines can be up to €30,000 and a jail sentence of up to two years. In other countries like Russia, homeschooling parents can face fines ranging from 1,000 to 5,000 rubles. In Italy it is against the law to refuse to send a child to school, so parents who homeschool may be fined up to €33,000.
In Spain, the punishment for homeschooling is largely left to the discretion of the courts and can range from a warning to an eight-month jail sentence.
Are There Any Options For Homeschoolers In Illegal Countries?
Fortunately, there are some countries that recognize the importance of homeschooling and are making positive steps to make it easier for parents who want to pursue homeschooling. In Norway, for example, the government launched a pilot program in 2019 enabling homeschoolers to access public funding for their childrens’ learning materials and programs.
In Bulgaria, homeschoolers are able to enroll in a homeschool program that is recognized by the government, allowing them to receive the same academic credits and qualifications as those in public schools. In Turkey, homeschoolers are able to homeschool their children provided they meet certain requirements. Guidelines are established by the Ministry of National Education, which include a minimum of 30 hours per week of instruction, an approved curriculum and completion of an assessment to ensure the student’s mastery of the material.
Conclusion
Homeschooling can be an invaluable experience for both parents and students alike, regardless of their location. Nonetheless, it is important to remember that homeschooling is illegal in some countries, and that there are sometimes severe consequences for breaking the law. Fortunately, some countries are beginning to relax their homeschooling laws and are making it easier for parents and students to pursue homeschooling.
It is our hope that, in the future, more countries will recognize the importance of homeschooling and make it easier for parents and students to pursue it.