Homeschooling in New Zealand

Homeschooling is legal in New Zealand. As of July 2011 there were 6,517 homeschooled pupils registered with the Ministry of Education, an increase of 23.6% since 1998.[1] In order to qualify for homeschooling, parents must be able to prove to the local office of the Ministry of Education that the pupils can be taught as well and as regularly as a registered school. Parents or caregivers are given funding for homeschooling.[2] As at 1 July 2013, there were 5,521 home schooled students recorded in the Ministry of Education’s Homeschooling database. These students belong to 2,789 families and represent 0.7% of total school enrolments as at 1 July 2013. Out of the 5,521 homeschoolers 65% were the aged 12 or under, 66% had been home-schooled for less than 5 years, and only 4% had been home-schooled for 10 years or more.[3]

There are a variety of complex reasons for why parents choose homeschooling and include wanting to have control over the child's education and concern or disagreement with the teaching offered by registered schools.[4] Home schooling is also done for religious reasons and for special needs children (i.e. those who are gifted, problematic or have learning disabilities).

Concerns have been raised about the quality of homeschooling because of the ease in obtaining permission and the lack of accountability of the teaching that is carried out. A lack of social interaction can be another drawback.[4][5]

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