In Canada, it’s possible to start homeschooling your child. However, you must know the rules. Different laws are depending on where you live. In Nunavut, for example, homeschooling is not allowed. Then again, Nunavut is also the least-populated province in the country. So what is the answer to ‘how to start homeschooling in Canada?’
Nunavut is Canada’s least-populated province
The vast region of Nunavut consists of more than seven million square miles of land and six million square miles of water. It occupies twenty-one percent of the country’s total land area. The province includes all islands in Hudson Bay and James Bay, as well as part of the Canadian mainland. Its physiographic regions are the Arctic Lands, Hudson Bay Lowlands, and the Canadian Shield.
Nunavut is Canada’s northernmost territory and the least-populated province. It covers a quarter of Canada’s land mass and has a population of just 35,944. It is also one of the most remote and sparsely populated areas in the world, with a population density of just thirty-five people per square mile. Its population is predominantly Inuit, with over eighty percent of residents identifying as Inuit, though many are of European descent. The province has no political or economic autonomy, and it will likely merge with Yukon in the future.
Manitoba is the only province that does not allow homeschooling
While homeschooling in Manitoba is legal, parents must follow specific regulations. They must notify the government that they are homeschooling and update their records twice a year. They also need to use a specific curriculum. The curriculum must include language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and arts. If parents don’t want to use their curriculum, they can also make arrangements with a local school.
There are different levels of regulation in each province. In Manitoba, for example, parents must have a school board review and must follow a set curriculum that is equivalent to the curriculum of a government school. The rules and regulations are moderate in most provinces, although some may have stricter requirements. Parents must also ensure their curriculum meets the standards and learning outcomes set forth by the province.
Ontario
In Ontario, it is legal to start homeschooling your child. Although you are not required to register with any government body, it is recommended that you send the school board a letter of intent to homeschool. The letter must be submitted to the principal and board of education of your child’s previous school. Although it is not mandatory, it should be sent each year.
You can join a homeschooling group on Facebook. There are many groups dedicated to homeschooling in Ontario. There are groups for Toronto and Thornhill, for example. However, you should join no more than two groups so that you don’t get overwhelmed.
Saskatchewan has the most options
If you are looking to start homeschooling your child in Saskatchewan, you have a few options. First, there is the public school system, which provides free education. Saskatchewan is divided into 18 public school districts. The largest one, Saskatoon Public Schools, operates 49 elementary and secondary schools and educates more than 26,000 students. Alternatively, you can choose a private school or a homeschool.
Many families choose to homeschool their children for a variety of reasons. First, Canada was founded on principles of personal liberty. French Canadians, for instance, were granted civil participation and self-government by the British parliament. However, laws requiring compulsory attendance curbed the rights of aboriginal people and religious minorities. This is why the province must encourage educational choice and promote individual rights.