(photo credit: http://www.healthimpactplus.com)

The topic of Home-schooling children, like many issues related to child education, is a very controversial one, especially in Nigeria.  Typically, what comes near formal education in many Nigerian homes is extra classes, which is still given by privately paid external tutors to augment the already extended school work the children engage in.

However, with the increase in parent subscription to private schools against the public ones, and the resultant rise in the fees paid, some people have started raising the issue of home-schooling as an option.

A Nigerian authored article by Toscany Academy, in support of home-schooling mentions a few reasons why some people consider it as a good alternative.  They are:

-Flexibility of learning and study time.  This they say helps the child learn at their own pace and speed.  It also helps the family plan as they are not restricted by the school calendar for things as vacation and family events;

-It also holds that it helps check bullying, peer pressure and bad company, as home-schooled children are closely monitored, so character changes can be followed up on easily;

-Religious Freedom.  Children who are home-schooled are mostly raised inline with basic family beliefs and so are not easily swayed from family religion or tradition by unnecessary exposure;

-Family Bonding.  The writer also holds that home-schooling empowers family bonding and closer relationships. It provides an opportunity for the children to receive more love and care from parents. It also helps the children to easily adjust with changes at home like loss, change of environment and the likes.

However, when our Public Relations Officer threw the question open on her social media platforms, the answers she got were more against home-schooling.  Majority opined that home-schooled children will lack basic social skills and will not be very good in competitive activities, public speaking and social interactions.

Another negative given is the absence of exposure for the child who is home-schooled.  They hold that the children will only be limited to what the parents expose them to.  Many also felt that the economic situation in the country will most times not even allow the parents that are for home-schooling, as they both have to work to make ends meet.  A minority opinion held that one can create time for whatever they deem more important, and somethings must give way for priorities in a home.

These are our own findings, we would love to know what your opinion is.  Whatever home-schooling is, it is not a piece of cake!  It definitely has its challenges.  The question as to whether the sacrifices and benefits are worth it is very dependent on the family and their support network.  If you were home-schooled in Nigeria, your contribution to this discussion would be greatly appreciated!