Govt proposes home-schooling for children with disabilities under education law amendment

The government has submitted a bill to Parliament seeking to amend the Education Act to allow children with physical or psychological disabilities and other special circumstances to receive education through home-schooling, subject to an assessment of their condition.

The amendment was submitted on behalf of the government by Huraa MP Dr Anara Naeem of the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) on Sunday. Its first reading was held in Parliament on Monday.

The bill proposes introducing home-schooling as an alternative for children who are unable to attend school because of disabilities or other circumstances.

It also outlines the conditions and procedures for providing education through home-schooling and assigns the Ministry of Education responsibility for registering home-schooling providers, establishing operational standards and monitoring compliance.

Under the proposed legislation, exemptions allowing children to receive education through home-schooling would be granted based on the extent of their physical or psychological disabilities or other special circumstances.

The bill establishes three conditions that must be met for a child to qualify for home-schooling.

First, the child must be unable to attend school because of a physical or psychological disability or another special circumstance.

Second, the child's parents or guardians must have the financial capacity to provide education through a home-schooling programme.

Third, the child must remain registered at a school within the formal education system.

The proposed amendments also provide for exemptions from compulsory education for children who are unable to receive education even through home-schooling.

The Ministry of Education would be required to establish criteria for determining whether a child qualifies for an exemption from compulsory education.

In addition to home-schooling, the bill proposes changes to clarify the responsibilities of parents, teachers and school principals in the administration of school education.

It also includes amendments intended to address difficulties encountered in implementing the existing Education Act.

Among the proposed changes is a provision to supply free breakfast, through designated arrangements, to students who face difficulties obtaining breakfast during school hours.

The bill also seeks to establish January as the beginning of each academic year.

Under the proposal, if the start of an academic year is delayed for any reason, schools would be required to begin the academic year no later than the end of February.

The amendments will require parliamentary approval before they can become law.