Proposed changes to Education Act on homeschooling enter committee stage

The government’s proposed amendment to the Education Act, which would allow homeschooling for children unable to attend school, has been referred to committee for consideration.

The amendment, moved by PNC Huraa MP Dr Anaara Naeem, was passed with a unanimous vote of 41 members who participated in the vote. As a result, the bill has been forwarded to the Joint Committee comprising the National Development and Heritage Committee and the Social Committee of Parliament for detailed review.

The Education Act currently provides that the Minister has the discretion to grant exemptions, under regulations made pursuant to the Act, to children who are unable to attend school due to circumstances specific to the student. The law states that education is compulsory for every child between the ages of four and 16, and requires all children within that age group to attend school from pre-school through secondary level and participate in the education system prescribed for their age.

However, under the amendment proposed by Anaara, children who are unable to attend school or receive education under a homeschooling programme due to disability would not be subject to compulsory education, even though the law ordinarily mandates it. Parents would instead be required to teach their children in a manner appropriate to their children’s disabilities.

The amendment also states that criteria must be formulated under the Education Act to determine when a child may be exempted from attending school based on the degree of disability.