Why homeschooling has been declared illegal in Uganda
A recent survey by the National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC) in partnership with Home-scholars Uganda Group (HUG) revealed that about 7,000 children are being homeschooled.
Homeschooling in Uganda is currently illegal, according to Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka, who clarified that the country’s legal framework mandates formal school enrollment for all children.
Kiwanuka made this statement during discussions on the National Teachers Bill, 2024, responding to a query from Rwampara Woman MP Molly Kamukama.
Kamukama questioned why the Bill overlooked guidelines to regulate homeschooling, a growing trend in Uganda.
Kiwanuka explained, “The law requires you to take the child to school. Homeschooling is technically illegal because it is not provided for under the law.”
He emphasized that teaching children requires professional qualifications, which would necessitate a regulatory framework from the Ministry of Education.
MP Rosemary Asiimwe urged the government to acknowledge the rise in homeschooling and create policies to support families who wish to integrate their children into the formal education system. “There are many homeschooling families who want to transition into formal schooling. Their concerns need to be addressed,” she said.
However, Kedrace Turyagyenda, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education, stated that homeschooling is not currently part of the Ministry’s plans.
“It is a new concept within the sector, and we cannot plan for it until it is formally introduced,” she noted, echoing Kiwanuka’s stance on its legal status.
Despite its legal challenges, homeschooling is gaining traction in Uganda. A recent survey by the National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC) in partnership with Home-scholars Uganda Group (HUG) revealed that about 7,000 children are being homeschooled.
Joyce Nansubuga, Head of Pedagogy and Innovations at NCDC, stated that the findings will inform a policy brief for the Ministry of Education. Parents involved in homeschooling cited the high costs of materials and the lack of a clear policy as significant challenges.
Advocates for homeschooling are pushing for government recognition and support, but for now, the practice remains outside Uganda’s legal framework, leaving families in a legal gray area.
