We asked: Is homeschooling a better option than regular school?

Pros and cons

While homeschooling allows the child to learn in his comfort zone with total freedom to express his thoughts without being judged by others, regular schooling helps build the child’s confidence by encouraging him to speak in public. It develops the interpersonal skills of an individual. Given a choice, I’d still prefer a regular school. Suja Harish

Uniform, the equaliser

Regular school is always better. It helps children mingle with other kids, encourages an interest in studies and extra curricular activities. Attending school in a uniform gives the student the feeling of equality. Sureshbabu Bandi

Two worlds

Considering social and emotional needs of a child, especially in a time when social values are diminishing and soft skills are declining, regular schooling is preferable. A school-going child is open to two worlds, when one helps him/her to instill values and get rooted to one’s own identity (from parents), the other enables them to filter and imbibe world culture, values and views that are distinctive and indispensable. Mary Walter

Device distraction

Regular schooling is better because students can interact with friends and indulge in team activities. Learning at home can become quite boring especially for kindergarten students who will find nothing new in their own home so will not learn anything. Plus there is chance of being distracted by devices. Salwa Mateen

Student’stake

As a student I feel regular school is better because it requires students’ interaction with others apart from their family. We can share problems with friends, go out on our own and thus make us bold, participate in school activities thereby learning more than the curriculum. Shiza Hajira

Schools teach kids to adapt

It is the regular school that teaches discipline, required in all areas of life. Regular school plays an important role in developing qualities in a child that helps to build personality, like socialising, leadership and confidence. School is actually a place where a child is given training so he/she can easily settle and adapt in this competitive and challenging world. Neha Shah

FROM AN EX-TEACHER

I was a teacher and I feel regular school is better than homeschooling. For the student’s learning and development we must address three aspects: Cognitive: mental skills (knowledge). Affective: growth in feelings or emotional areas (attitude or self). Psychomotor: manual or physical skills. Having your own pace at home is not a guarantee that you will be able to address these aspects. Further, communication through social media is far more different than face to face. Ma Teresa Sanchez-Edpan

PARENTS CAN’T BE TEACHERS

Parents can never be teachers but teachers can play the role of extended parents. In home school, children just learn subjects. But exposure and experience come only through institutional systems in which they get chance to mingle with students from various walks and are taught to learn, play, involve in extra curricular activities by trained teaching members.

R.Dorai Raj Friendly environment

Regular school is better because you get to interact with many other students. In regular school the environment for learning is also friendly compared to homeschooling. Mrunal Kankarej

SOCIAL SKILLS

I prefer regular schooling because it helps develop social, motor and leadership skills. Homeschooling cannot teach virtues of existing in a group. Regular schooling helps kids learn the virtue of sharing, kindness and to work as a team. The aim of schooling should be more than just academic excellence.

Reena Shebeaun

Goodforspecialneedskids

Homeschooling will not help them socialise with mainstream students but on the other hand kids with special needs can get more attention in their studies by homeschooling. It will also help prevent such students from getting bullied.

Eappen Elias

Homeisbetter

Homeschooling is better because it helps build a stronger bond with parents and gives them a safe and comfortable environment to learn and express their feelings without any fear. It overall helps in building the self esteem and attitude of the child. Ishita Harish

BUILDS DISCIPLINE

Interacting with teachers and other students builds confidence in a student in a regular school. With homeschooling, the child doesn’t get as much social interaction, and they’re in an environment where their toys or devices are accessible, which could be distracting. Regular school instils confidence, discipline, and prepares students for the real world. Zehra Bughio