Nasheed warns homeschooling bill could put children's education at risk

Former President and Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Chairperson Mohamed Nasheed has warned against introducing homeschooling without safeguards, saying the proposed changes to the Education Act could put children's education at risk.

The government has submitted an amendment to the Education Act that would allow children to receive education at home under a homeschooling programme, based on assessments of their physical disabilities, psychological conditions or other circumstances.

Commenting on the bill on social media on Wednesday, Nasheed said more than 4,000 children in the Maldives were already not attending school regularly.

"We must not allow homeschooling to become an opportunity to obstruct the future of the Maldives' younger generation and destroy their prospects," Nasheed said.

His comments followed concerns raised by opposition MDP MPs during Wednesday's parliamentary debate on the proposed legislation.

The MPs warned that introducing homeschooling without adequate regulation could increase the number of children who do not attend school.

However, they also acknowledged the need to provide homeschooling opportunities for children with disabilities who face difficulties attending conventional schools.

The bill outlines the conditions and procedures for allowing children to receive education through homeschooling.

It would require the Ministry of Education to register institutions providing homeschooling programmes, establish regulations governing their operations and ensure compliance with those requirements.

Under the proposed amendment, exemptions allowing children to receive education at home would be granted based on physical or psychological disabilities or other circumstances requiring special consideration.

The bill specifies three conditions that children must meet to qualify for homeschooling.

First, a child must be unable to attend school because of a physical or psychological disability or another qualifying condition.

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

Third, the child must remain registered at a school within the formal education system where attendance would otherwise be required.

The proposed legislation would also allow exemptions from compulsory education for children who are unable to receive an education even through homeschooling.

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

The amendment also seeks to clarify the responsibilities of parents, teachers and school principals in delivering education.

These changes are intended to address difficulties encountered in implementing the existing Education Act.

In addition to homeschooling provisions, the bill proposes changes relating to student welfare and the academic calendar.

The amendment would require arrangements to provide free breakfast to students who face difficulties obtaining breakfast during school hours.

It also proposes making January the starting month of each academic year.

If the start of an academic year is delayed for any reason, the bill would require schools to begin the academic year no later than the end of February.

The proposed changes form part of the government's amendments to the Education Act, which are currently under consideration in Parliament.