Homeschooling has become an increasingly popular option for parents and their children around the world. Since the year 2000, the number of homeschoolers in the United States alone has grown by around 75%.
Homeschooling is a great way to tailor a student’s education to their individual needs, but not every country offers the same freedoms or support for homeschooling. To find out which country is the most popular for homeschooling, it’s important to understand the different types of homeschooling, as well as the laws and regulations in each country.
Types of Homeschooling
There are two main types of homeschooling: unschooling, which is the least structured form of homeschooling and allows children to pursue their own interests, and curriculum-based homeschooling, which is more structured and follows a predetermined syllabus or lesson plan. These two main types of homeschooling can be further subdivided into more detailed categories. For example, unschooling can be further divided into classical homeschooling, which focuses on the literature-based curriculum, and child-led homeschooling, which allows children to follow their own path and explore different subjects.
United States
The United States is the most popular country for homeschooling in the world. According to the National Home Education Research Institute, there was an estimated 7 million homeschooled students in the U.
S. in the 2020/21 school year.
The majority of homeschoolers in the U. S.
are unschoolers, but there are a number of families who practice curriculum-based homeschooling. Homeschooling is legal in all fifty US states and the laws vary from state to state. Most US states allow parents to customize the education their children receive, but some states may require private school registration or additional assessments.
Australia
Australia is the second most popular country for homeschooling in the world. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, there were over 30,000 registered homeschoolers in Australia as of 201
The Australian government allows parents to choose between two types of homeschooling: private schooling with registered homeschooling providers or self-managed homeschooling. Private schooling requires parents to register with a government approved provider and must follow the Australian curriculum. Self-managed homeschooling allows parents to design their own curriculum, but there are still some regulations that need to be followed.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom is the third most popular country for homeschooling in the world. According to the Education Policy Institute, there were over 50,000 registered homeschoolers in the UK in 201
In the UK, homeschooling is regulated by local education authorities and parents must follow the national curriculum. Parents can choose to follow a structured homeschooling curriculum or take a more independent approach depending on their child’s needs.
New Zealand
New Zealand is the fourth most popular country for homeschooling in the world. According to research from the Ministry of Education, there were an estimated 15,000 homeschooled students in New Zealand in 201 The New Zealand government allows parents to homeschool as long as the student has access to an approved curriculum.
Parents can choose between different sets of curricula, such as the nationwide NCEA qualification system or a more independent program.
Canada
Canada is the fifth most popular country for homeschooling in the world. According to the Fraser Institute, there were an estimated 130,000 homeschooled students in Canada in 2020. Homeschooling is regulated at the provincial level in Canada and each province has their own set of rules and regulations.
Generally, it is legal for parents to homeschool their children in Canada as long as they follow the provincial curriculum and other requirements.
Germany
Germany is the sixth most popular country for homeschooling in the world. According to the Federal Statistical Office, there were an estimated 10,000 homeschooled students in the country in 201
In Germany, homeschooling is legal but it is heavily regulated by the German government. Parents must register their children for homeschooling with the local education authority and must follow the German primary school curriculum.
France
France is the seventh most popular country for homeschooling in the world. According to research from the Ministry of Education, there were an estimated 7,000 homeschooled students in France in 201
Homeschooling in France is legal but highly regulated, with parents required to provide the Ministry with an education program and teaching plans for their children. Furthermore, parents must follow the French curriculum and have their children tested regularly.
Brazil
Brazil is the eighth most popular country for homeschooling in the world. According to research from the Ministry of Education, there were an estimated 8,000 homeschooled students in Brazil in 2020.
Homeschooling in Brazil is legal and is regulated by the Ministry of Education. Parents must submit an application and provide the Ministry with an approved curriculum, as well as regular reports on their child’s progress.
India
India is the ninth most popular country for homeschooling in the world. According to the National Institute of Open Schooling, there were an estimated 6,000 homeschooled students in India in 2020. Homeschooling in India is legal and regulated by the Central Board of Secondary Education.
Parents must register with the board and provide an approved curriculum for their children, as well as proof of the student’s academic progress.
South Africa
South Africa is the tenth most popular country for homeschooling in the world. According to research from the National Home Education Association, there were an estimated 6,000 homeschooled students in South Africa in 201 Homeschooling is legal in South Africa and is regulated by each province.
Generally, parents must register with their provincial education department and follow the South African curriculum.
Conclusion
Homeschooling has become an increasingly popular option for parents and their children around the world, with millions of children being homeschooled in the US alone. However, not every country offers the same freedoms or support for homeschooling and it is important to understand the different types of homeschooling and the laws in each country. The most popular countries for homeschooling are the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom, with other countries such as Canada, France, and South Africa also being popular destinations for homeschoolers.