If you are thinking about homeschooling your children, you may be wondering how much it costs. The great news is that homeschooling is free in Ireland! One disadvantage of homeschooling is that there is no curriculum structure. In addition, it is a more relaxed way to educate your child than attending a traditional school. However, it does have its costs.
Homeschooling is free in Ireland
Homeschooling in Ireland is legal and free of charge, and there are many reasons to do so. In fact, it is a constitutional right. Ireland’s Education (Welfare) Act 2000 explicitly addresses the issue of homeschooling. The constitution also recognizes the role of parents as primary educators.
To begin, prospective homeschoolers must register their children, ages six to 16, with Tusla, the government department in Ireland that supports homeschooling. Parents can obtain forms through the Tusla website, and send them to the department by letter. After this is done, a representative of Tusla will contact the family to discuss the details. Usually, this does not involve interviewing the child, and the child does not have to attend the meeting.
It lacks a curriculum structure
In Ireland, homeschoolers used to register with the National Educational Welfare Board, but this body has since been merged with Tusla (an agency for welfare). Irish governments are notorious for constantly reshuffling public bodies in an attempt to distract from their inability to formulate progressive public policies. However, this new administrative arrangement gives an indication of how homeschooling is viewed in Ireland.
Homeschooling in Ireland can be a challenging task, and parents are largely left to fend for themselves. There is a small but growing homeschooling community in Ireland, which leans towards natural learning and sports-oriented education. The community is geographically dispersed, but many families gather for excursions and social events. However, there are few homeschool co-ops in Ireland.
It costs money
Homeschooling in Ireland is an option that is available to many parents. However, before you can get started, you must register with the Education Welfare Services, an agency that is part of TUSLA. You can sign up by attending a formal registration meeting. Then, you can start teaching your children at home.
There are some costs associated with homeschooling in Ireland. Children aged six to sixteen years of age must be registered with Tusla, the government department that oversees education. The forms are available on the Tusla website or can be submitted by post. Once the form is received, a Tusla representative will contact you. This person is called an ‘Approved Person’. Unlike the National Health Service, the process does not involve interviewing your children. You do not need to bring your children to this meeting, but they must be registered with Tusla.