Bill to Introduce Home Schooling Tabled in Parliament

A government bill to introduce a home schooling programme has been submitted to the People's Majlis. The bill was tabled by Dr. Anara Naeem, the Member of Parliament for Huraa constituency, and its first reading was held during today's parliamentary sitting. Under the proposed legislation, children with disabilities and mental health conditions would be able to receive school education at home, based on an assessment of the child's level of disability or mental condition. The bill states that children who are unable to attend school and obtain education can be provided school education at their place of residence. It also allows education through home schooling where a child has a physical, mental or other special condition. The bill further seeks to detail the roles of parents, teachers and principals in implementing the school education system, and includes amendments to the education law to address difficulties faced in its implementation. Other provisions in the bill include the provision of free breakfast every day from every government school for children who face difficulty getting breakfast at school. The bill also details the roles of students and parents and addresses challenges they currently face, including efforts to instil respect for school management, teachers and elders, provisions against bullying of teachers, school staff and students, and safeguarding the school's reputation. In addition, the bill states that children's basic needs must be met — ensuring children are well fed, in good health and have adequate sleep when going to school — so that they are prepared to learn.