Friday | 10 January 2025 | Reg No- 06
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Friday | 10 January 2025 | Epaper

Homeschooling: A new dawn for education system of Bangladesh

Published : Sunday, 15 December, 2024 at 12:00 AM  Count : 922
Nafew Sajed Joy
Bangladesh's education system is facing significant challenges that raise important questions about how well it is meeting the needs of students. One major concern is the lack of emphasis on fostering moral values alongside academic learning. With recent protests and violence, it has become painfully clear that today's youth need a stronger ethical foundation, built on fairness, empathy, and respect.

Fighting for justice is important, but achieving it must be done through understanding, peaceful dialogue, and positive action. Our youth, having witnessed and experienced political unrest and social turmoil, now carry the responsibility of shaping the future of this country. However, their focus needs to shift from the chaos of political protests to building themselves-through education, the development of core human values, and a commitment to peace and progress.

The political and social turbulence we are living through has shaken the very foundation of our education system. Many of the brightest students, disillusioned by the poor quality of education, are now choosing to pursue opportunities abroad. In fact, the number of Bangladeshi students in the U.S. has increased by over 300% in the past decade. This "brain drain" is a glaring indication of the dissatisfaction with our education system, but it also opens the door to alternative models, such as homeschooling, which may offer hope.

Why Homeschooling?
Homeschooling is emerging as a promising alternative to the shortcomings of our traditional education system. It offers parents the ability to guide their children's academic and moral development in a more focused and supportive environment. Away from the distractions and disruptions of conventional schools, homeschooling provides the space to tailor education to each child's needs, while nurturing values like tolerance, cooperation, and peace.

This model of education is not new. In fact, homeschooling has been growing rapidly around the world. In the United States, for example, about 6% of school-aged children were homeschooled during the 2021-2022 school year, making it one of the fastest-growing educational trends. Countries like Australia, Canada, Japan, and South Korea are also seeing a rise in homeschooling as families increasingly look for personalized education options.

Homeschooling has several key benefits:
*    Personalized Learning: It allows children to learn at their own pace, with a curriculum tailored to their needs and interests.

*    Safer Environment: Homeschooling shields children from bullying, peer pressure, and other negative influences that are often encountered in schools.


*    Character Building: It gives parents the freedom to focus not just on academics but also on instilling core values, helping children develop into self-disciplined, independent learners who understand the importance of empathy, respect, and cooperation.

Challenges and Opportunities: Of course, homeschooling does come with its challenges. It requires a great deal of commitment from parents, and some critics argue that it limits peer socialization. However, research shows that homeschooled children often outperform their peers in standardized tests and develop a higher degree of independence and responsibility.

In Bangladesh, while homeschooling is not yet widely practiced, the absence of a structured framework presents an opportunity for innovation. Online learning platforms, peer-learning groups, and community networks could form the foundation of a localized homeschooling model that better serves the needs of families. The government could play an important role by offering incentives for families who choose homeschooling, helping to establish a more formal structure for this educational alternative to grow.

A Local Context for Homeschooling: Though homeschooling is still rare in Bangladesh, some parents are already experimenting with it due to dissatisfaction with traditional schools. In Dhaka, for instance, where overcrowded classrooms and limited resources are common, many parents are turning to online platforms like Khan Academy and other localized resources to provide a personalized education for their children. Some private schools even offer hybrid models, where parents supplement their children's education with home-based instruction. If supported by proper policy and infrastructure, homeschooling could become a viable option for many more families across the country.

Bangladesh could learn a lot from countries like South Korea, where homeschooling is increasingly popular among middle-class families. Parents there prioritize academic achievement, but they also emphasize moral education and traditional values, believing that character development is just as important as academic success. Similarly, a blend of homeschooling and community-based learning could help Bangladesh develop a generation that excels academically while also embodying strong moral principles.

Steps to Make Homeschooling a Reality in Bangladesh: For homeschooling to become a widely accepted alternative in Bangladesh, several key steps need to be taken. First, the government must introduce legal frameworks to regulate and legitimize homeschooling, ensuring it is recognized as a viable option within the education system. Alongside this, there needs to be robust support for parents-training programs and resources to help them confidently take on the role of educators. Technology will also play a crucial role in making quality educational resources more accessible to homeschooling families. Additionally, fostering homeschooling networks and communities can help families collaborate and offer children opportunities for socialization, addressing one of the key concerns about homeschooling. By taking these steps, Bangladesh can lay the groundwork for a successful homeschooling model.

A Path Forward for Education in Bangladesh: Homeschooling may not be the right solution for every family, but in a time when our education system is struggling to meet the needs of students, it offers a promising alternative. It empowers parents to take an active role in shaping their children's education and moral development, helping to raise a generation ready to contribute to the nation's progress.

As we think about the future of education in Bangladesh, it's time to consider homeschooling as a practical and innovative solution. With the right support, this model can ensure that our next generation is not only well-educated but also equipped with the values and skills needed to lead Bangladesh toward a brighter and more harmonious future.

The writer is a Researcher



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