Homeschooling and alternative education in India

The legality of homeschooling in India and a plethora of Alternative Education schools spread over different states has been debated by educators, lawmakers, and parents since the passing of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act (RTE) which makes formal education a fundamental right of every child between the ages of 6 to 14 and specifies minimum norms for schools. While the legality of homeschooling still remains a grey area, there have been petitions by parents and alternate schools in the past for granting relief.[1][2] As per the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to which India is a signatory, quote: "Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children."[3]

History of Alternative Schooling in India

In India, from the early 20th century, certain educational theorists have discussed and implemented radically different forms of education. Rabindranath Tagore's Visva-Bharati University, Sri Aurobindo's Sri Aurobindo International Center of Education[4] and Mahatma Gandhi's ideal of "basic education"[5] are prime examples.

In recent years, many new alternative schools have cropped up.[6][7]

Methodology of Homeschooling in India

Homeschoolers in India use a wide variety of methods and materials, at par with international norms, and often customized to fit individual learning styles. Though there is no actual data available, the most prevalent methods in India are Montessori method, Unschooling, Radical Unschooling, Waldorf education and traditional School-at-home. Some of these approaches like Montessori and Waldorf are also available in school settings. Many homeschoolers follow formal education methods at home through CBSE, NIOS (formerly NOS) and IGCSE. Of these, IGCSE and NIOS are especially suited for homeschoolers.[8]

To help students from Class 5 to Class 12 to benefit from homeschooling, the Maharashtra government on January 10, 2019, launched ‘Open SSC board’. Education Minister Vinod Tawde said in a Tweet that the Maharashtra Rajya Mukta Vidyalay Mandal is a platform for athletes, artists, Divyang, seniors and anyone who wishes to continue their academic journey while pursuing others interests and obligations surpassing all hurdles.[9]

Support Groups

There are many Internet-based support groups for Alternative schoolers or Homeschoolers in India, with most participants based in major urban Indian cities. However, there is a considerable presence of homeschoolers in small towns who either independently educate their children or who are associated with alternative schools.

Some prominent Internet resources include

  • Alternative Education India,[10]
  • Pune Homeschoolers
  • Swashikshan - Indian Association of Homeschoolers[11]
  • Cascade Family Learning Society - A Society for Home Schooled Children in Chennai, India[12]

In addition, there are conferences, social meetups, apprenticeships and several other organized group activities that allow for knowledge-sharing on a regular basis.[13]

Media Reports about Homeschooling

In recent years, quite a few homeschooled children in India have made a splash by being accepted into stellar institutions such as IIT and MIT.[14][15] A number of them also choose to be integrated into mainstream education at some point.[16] Some prominent homeschoolers include education entrepreneur, Satya Narayanan R., founder of the "Career Launcher" entrance coaching platform.[17] Some estimates say as many as 15,000 Indian families have decided to keep their children from going to school, choosing instead to develop individual caliber holistically within the community machinery,[18] specially as safety has become a prime concern for parents nowadays.[19]

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References
  1. "Is homeschooling legal in India?". homeschoolingindia.in. Retrieved 2018-01-11.
  2. "Legal issues related to RTE and Alternative schools / Homeschooling in India". Alternativeeducationindia.wordpress.com. Retrieved 2010-09-01.
  3. "Universal Declaration of Human Rights" (PDF). ohchr.org. Retrieved 2018-01-12.
  4. "Sri Aurobindo International Center of Education". sriaurobindoashram.org. Retrieved 2018-01-11.
  5. "EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY OF MAHATMA GANDHI WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO CURRICULUM OF BASIC EDUCATION". International Education and Research Journal. Retrieved 2018-01-11.
  6. "A list of some Alternative schools in India". Alternativeeducationindia.net. Archived from the original on 2010-07-28. Retrieved 2010-09-01.
  7. "A list of alternative schools based on Waldorf method in India". Retrieved 2010-09-01.
  8. "Boards and Homeschoolers". homeschoolers.in. Retrieved 2018-01-11.
  9. "Maharashtra Government Open SSC Board". indiatimes.com. Retrieved 2019-03-11.
  10. "Alt Ed India Yahoo group". Groups.yahoo.com. 2001-11-17. Retrieved 2010-09-01.
  11. "Swashikshan". homeschoolers.in. Retrieved 2018-01-11.
  12. Cascade Family Learning Society
  13. "Unschool is so cool: Parents look at alternative forms of learning - 26 Nov 2017 Bangalore Mirror, India". bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com. 2017-11-26. Retrieved 2018-01-11.
  14. "Delhi IIT-JEE topper is just 14 & homeschooled - 27 May 2010 Times of India, India". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 2010-05-27. Retrieved 2018-01-11.
  15. "All parents can opt for homeschooling: MIT girl Malvika Joshi's mother - 31 Aug 2016 Hindustan Times, India". Hindustan Times. 2016-08-31. Retrieved 2018-01-11.
  16. "Homeschooling in India – Some Key Findings and Myths Busted - 19 Sep 2017 First Moms Club, India". firstmomsclub.in. 2017-09-19. Retrieved 2018-01-11.
  17. "The De-school brigade - 16 May 2010 India Today, India". indiatoday.in. 2010-05-16. Retrieved 2018-01-11.
  18. "Hey Teachers! Leave our kids alone: Is 'Unschooling' becoming a trend in urban India? - 21 Dec 2017 Hindustan Times, India". timesnownews.com. 2017-12-21. Retrieved 2018-01-11.
  19. "Homeschooling piques interest of parents in Mumbai - 07 Oct 2017 Times of India, India". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 2017-10-07. Retrieved 2018-01-11.
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