Ministry should be considering homeschooling as an alternative

Dear Editor,

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our way of life in many ways. One of the sectors severely impacted by the pandemic is education. It was therefore heartening to learn from an alternative news source on YouTube (later verified in Jamaican newspapers) that the Ministry of Education, Jamaica permitted many parents to homeschool their children in the 2020-2021 school year. Jamaica has a growing number of homeschooling families. The Jamaican government always recognized homeschoolers and have protocols and guidelines for it. The present Prime Minister of Jamaica homeschooled his children in the past (not sure if he does presently).

I am not sure what are the Ministry of Education’s plans for the new school year. However, homeschooling should be considered as an alternative for families with the resources to do so. The formation of homeschool cooperatives with the pooling of resources by 4-8 families can also be done. Another possibility is the establishment of community “micro-schools”. These are schools consisting of 5-8 children of various grade levels where learning is facilitated by two or more teachers. More than a decade ago, an Indian educator established what are called “cloud schools”. These are virtual schools

with project-based learning facilitated by “Skype Grannies” or online mentors and learning facilitators. Schools in the cloud can be easily adapted and organized for those with computers and internet access.

Schooling and learning will have to change with the post-pandemic dispensation. With barely a month before the beginning of the traditional school year, creativity and innovation must be utilized to allow our children to continue learning. It would be nice if the MOE can follow the Jamaican government’s lead in this area.

Yours faithfully,

(Name and address supplied)