Homeschooling has always been a subject of contention between education professionals and parents alike; however, since the global COVID-19 pandemic, for many, homeschooling has become essential rather than a choice.
While there is a significant link between the rise of homeschooling and pandemic lockdowns, the fact is that homeschooling in Australia was already on the rise prior to the lockdowns being implemented; according to Dr David Roy from the University of Newcastle in New South Wales; the reasons for this seem to vary significantly from family to family.
However, the pandemic has been a significant contributor to this trend, and many parents have reported an improvement in their child’s educational performance and inter-family relations.
The rise of homeschool registrations
Homeschooling has always been a choice for families, even when the statistics were lower; that was until there was no other choice as the COVID pandemic swept the globe, driving our normal way of life to a screeching halt.
Like many other countries, Australia was forced to take learning online, with no private or public school unaffected, forcing families and educators to adapt to a homeschooling model quickly.
Unlike previous generations of homeschoolers, this generation had technology on their side, allowing communication through group streaming services like Skype and Zoom to enable peers and teachers to sit in on remote lessons.
While some students struggled to adapt to this new education model, many saw an increase in performance and productivity, with the normal distractions of a traditional school model being taken out of the equation and encouraging students to be creative in their learning in this foreign educational environment.
Many parents have seen almost miraculous improvements in their child’s or adolescent’s performance and have chosen to continue homeschooling even though many schools have returned to their regular schooling programs in a traditional classroom setting.
This trend has seen a significant rise across all states and territories, and an unprecedented surge in homeschooling registrations, including a:
- 46%+ increase in Queensland
- 29%+ rise in the ACT
- 23%+ increase in South Australia
- 22%+ rise in Western Australia
- 20%+ increase in Victoria
- 19%+ rise in New South Wales
- 9%+ increase in Tasmania
- 22%+ rise in the Northern Territory
These are not small figures, and this trend seems to be rising each term and semester across the board.
It’s not all about education
While the COVID-19 pandemic significantly contributed to people moving to a homeschooling model, several other factors are driving this education revolution.
The economy is in uncharted territory, with people working more hours for fewer returns than the baby boomer generation, where one income was enough to keep the wheels turning. This economic trend has not only affected how many hours we work but has also impacted the time families get to spend together.
This problem is not just a social inconvenience. This modern family lifestyle can significantly impact inter-family relations, meaning that although families live together, they feel they are not connecting as well as traditional families once did only a generation ago.
Living life is not all about work and education, and on top of these two major commitments, children, teenagers, and parents have many other activities to fit into each day, including:
- Food and nutrition
- Personal hygiene
- Sports and recreation
- Social commitments
- Daily exercise
- Medical and dental needs
- Personal interests and much more
While we may live in one of the safest and most fruitful ages, we also live in a complicated and uncertain time, fostering hectic lifestyles and modern stressors with technology and global change happening faster than many can adapt.
Homeschooling gives parents, children and teenagers the chance to connect as a tribe and better understand each other at a deeper, more personal level, fostering improved family relations, which results in a stronger family unit.
The home school model also allows more flexibility and frees up considerable time to find space in an ever-compressing world of commitments and obligations.
Thorough research by parents is encouraged
While homeschooling has seen a historical rise in the COVID new normal, educators and psychologists encourage parents to do thorough research and include their dependents in the decision-making process.
While data shows an impressive increase in performance for many students, others have not fared as well and will respond better to a traditional classroom setting.
After all, the student has to excel, and wherever a child or teenager obtains optimal results is always the best place for them to be.
Lions Education: The obvious choice for homeschooling in NSW
The passionate educators here at Lions Education are dedicated to providing cutting-edge homeschooling solutions for Australian students and families.
Lions Education was built out of necessity in the wake of the significant changes our planet faces. Our dedicated team works tirelessly to provide cutting-edge homeschooling for all Australians who require a different approach to essential education.
For more information about our range of homeschooling services and solutions register your interest today online.