Introduction 

Does homeschooling exist in Kenya? It is even legal? These are among the many questions often asked by parents who consider trying it out. Homeschooling in Kenya is a practice that has been in place for a while. It is not a new concept brought about to curb the effects of COVID-19 pandemic in the educational sector. However, it is safe to say that amidst the pandemic and with the onset of the internet, the concept has gained popularity. So, what is the history of homeschooling in Kenya? How does it work exactly?

History   

In the 1990s, homeschooling became a popular initiative aimed at offering alternative solutions to the structured educational system. As much as it was a popular initiative, it did not attract the attention of the parents and other education stakeholders who viewed it as a step back from the traditional learning. If only they knew what COVID-19 had in store for them! The overall enrollment into the homeschooling curricular during the period was so low that the government saw it as a failure initiative and later dropped it entirely.
Homeschooling is however legal in Kenya. As much as there are different interpretations of the legality of other forms of education in accordance with Basic Education Act of 2013, homeschooling has not been discouraged. The COVID-19 pandemic has opened the eyes of many parents and education stakeholders on the importance of having an alternative to education and learning platforms.
The formation of homeschooling association in Kenya has helped the government to come up with creative structures aimed at elevating the level of learning. The parents and students interested in homeschooling have been given a better foot through the learning structures and professional guidance offered by the Ministry of Education.

How homeschooling works in Kenya

The availability of homeschooling curriculum means that the parents and students have to adapt to it. This means that once you adopt the idea, as a parent, you should be ready to implement it. There are two ways that homeschooling works in Kenya; hiring a tutor or be the tutor.
Hiring a tutor
It is important to note that parents are considering homeschooling because of the availability of private tuitions. The private tuition services are provided by tutors across the country. There is no restriction or limitation of where the home school services can be provided making it a bonus for parents considering the idea. The charges for the services provided by home school tutors however differ with the location and needs of the child. As a parent it is crucial to understand the charges against your budget. Hiring a tutor is advisable as you will have a professional with the right skills and expertise handling the needs of your child.
Being the tutor
Being the tutor only works best when you are present or have time to handle the needs of your child. It will be best to consider being the tutor in Kenya, if you are working from home. Being the tutor is beneficial because you understand best the needs of your child as the parent. The government allows parents who want to tutor to go for a training, get qualified and register the children to sit for the national exams at will.
Reasons to consider homeschooling in Kenya
Flexible learning
As much as it is a concept that most parents and education stakeholders are coming to terms with amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the flexibility of homeschooling is encouraging. The student is able to learn with their schedule. When you create a definite academic schedule, the value of punctuality will still be instilled as is the case with traditional learning.

Meaningful and efficient learning
It is a fact that the teacher-student ratio in Kenya is still very low. The efficiency of the learning process is lowered as the students do not get the right attention from the tutors in traditional classes. With homeschooling there is efficiency as the student gets the full attention of the tutor. The education is also meaningful as specific areas of learning are looked into. Homeschooling opens a room for exploration and the discovery of new skills by the student.

Conclusion
Homeschooling in Kenya is getting the attention it deserves amidst the pandemic. As much as it is not a new concept, many parents and students had not embraced it fully. The structures and platforms created by the government to encourage homeschooling during this period of uncertainty can bear the right fruits if the parents, tutors and other education stakeholders cooperate and work towards its success.