Published on 21/11/2024
Attorney General of Uganda, Kiryowa Kiwanuka, has declared homeschooling illegal under existing laws, which require parents to enroll children in formal schools.
His statement came during a parliamentary debate on the National Teachers Bill, 2024, prompted by Molly Kamukama, Woman MP for Rwampara. Kamukama raised concerns about the Bill’s omission of provisions for homeschooling, noting its rising popularity.
Kiwanuka clarified that the current legal framework prioritizes formal education systems, leaving no room for home-based learning. This stance has sparked debates on educational freedom and access. Advocates argue for inclusive policies to accommodate diverse learning needs. The government faces growing pressure to modernize laws to reflect changing educational trends.
“The law requires you to take the child to school. Homeschooling is technically illegal because it is not provided for under the law,” Kiwanuka explained. He added that teaching children requires professional qualifications, and any consideration for homeschooling would need a regulatory framework developed by the Ministry of Education.
MP Rosemary Asiimwe echoed concerns about homeschooling, pointing out the need for the government to acknowledge and regulate the practice. “There are many homeschooling families who want to integrate into the formal education system. We need to address their concerns instead of focusing solely on formal schooling,” Asiimwe noted.
However, Kedrace Turyagyenda, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education and Sports, clarified that homeschooling had not been formally introduced for consideration. “Homeschooling is a new concept within the sector, and we cannot plan for it until it is officially brought to us,” she said. Her comments were interrupted by Kiwanuka’s assertion of homeschooling’s illegality under current law.
Rise in Homeschooling in Uganda
This debate arises amid growing interest in homeschooling. In August 2024, National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC) released findings from a survey indicating that approximately 7,000 children are currently being homeschooled. The survey, conducted in collaboration with Home-scholars Uganda Group (HUG), sought to understand why parents choose homeschooling, the methodologies they employ, and the challenges they face.
Joyce Nansubuga, Head of Pedagogy and Innovations at NCDC, revealed that the Centre would use the survey results to create a policy brief for the Ministry of Education. Advocates for homeschooling have urged the government to support the practice, citing the high costs of materials and the need for a clear policy framework.
