Reps consider bill to legalise homeschooling ‘to reduce strain on government resources’

A bill seeking to legalise homeschooling for has passed first reading at the house of representatives.

Sponsored by Mustapha Tijjani from Kano state, the bill intends to amend the Compulsory, Free Universal Basic Education Act 2024.

The bill, which scaled first reading on Thursday, seeks to give parents, guardians or carers the legal right to provide the “necessary basic education” to their children at home.

Section 2 of the principal act states that: “Every parent shall ensure that his child or ward undergoes and completes his/her (a) primary school education; and (b) junior secondary school education, by endeavouring to send the child to primary and junior secondary schools”.

The bill proposes to replace section (2b) above with a new provision: “Junior secondary school education by endeavouring to send the child to primary and junior secondary schools or by teaching them at home”.

In section 15, the bill says homeschooling “means parents, guardians or carers educating their children at home instead of sending them to a traditional public or private school”.

Addressing journalists, the lawmaker explained that the bill, if passed into law, will increase access to education.

“The bill gives parents the option to educate their children at home, either by hiring a local teacher or teaching them personally, using the Nigerian curriculum,” he said.

“Parents who choose homeschooling will reduce the strain on government infrastructure and resources. It also minimises costs associated with uniforms, transportation, and other school-related expenses.

“Parents don’t necessarily need to connect to online platforms. They can follow the Nigerian curriculum with the help of local teachers or by teaching their children directly.

“Uniform national exams like WAEC, NECO, and common entrance will serve as checkpoints to measure compliance with the curriculum.”

The lawmaker added that the bill proposes homeschooling as an option not mandatory.

“It is optional. Parents who prefer conventional schools can continue but those unable to afford it can now have a legal option to educate their children at home,” he said.