Homeschooling In Hong Kong: – Have you ever wondered what makes a child special or unique? Every child has special physical, social, emotional, and intellectual qualities. These attributes essentially ensure that no two children are alike, thus making them unique.
Then comes a special category of children with different qualities than the rest. They are especially challenged or differently abled in physical and cognitive abilities. Their learning needs are also different. For instance, they may learn to read or write at a different speed than the rest of the children from the same age group. And the people who understand children and their learning needs better than anyone are their parents.
Parents are the best judges of their child’s overall nature. They know exactly if their child learns by doing activities or reading. Do they prefer learning indoors or outdoors? Are they visual learners? Parents can best answer these questions because they are fully involved in the child’s learning process. They also know which mode of instruction will work with their child and can decide the curriculum. And they also understand what kind of learning environment the child needs.
Homeschooling is an educational choice that is similar to regular schooling with some added benefits. For instance, it gives the parents and students the flexibility to learn at their preferred time at affordable costs. It also allows them to choose a curriculum, courses, and learning programs that suit them. Besides, it is quite economical when compared to traditional schooling, for it saves thousands of dollars for parents every year they spend on traveling, uniforms, accessories, boarding, etc.
For special needs children it is rather beneficial to choose homeschool because it gives them the freedom to learn at their own pace. The parents can supervise and monitor their studies by either themselves or by getting them a private tutor to teach in the comforts of their homes. They can also take the route of online schooling and remote classes offered by renowned schools such as International Schooling. It also lets parents spend more time and bond better with their children thus cementing a strong relationship.
In Hong Kong, the 2023/24 school year saw around 64,220 students with special education needs (SEN) in various schools. According to the Education Bureau (EDB), the expenditure on integrated education (IE) has increased substantially in the recent past. From $1.5 billion in the 2017-18 financial year to $3.8 billion in the 2023-24 financial year, it represents an increase of around 150%.
While the public sector educational institutions have done a lot of work, there remains the challenge of holistic and inclusive education for special needs students. Besides, there is often a chance of bullying, shaming, and other unwanted activities with especially challenged children in regular schools. This has necessitated the homeschooling choices by parents in Hong Kong.
Children with special needs can benefit from some of the best online homeschooling programs available in Hong Kong. For instance, International Schooling offers such students 1-to-1 live online classes with more attention, which isn’t possible in a physical public or private school. Children with special needs can also take online high school diploma courses to complete their entire schooling years through homeschooling in Hong Kong.
Accredited online schooling programs offered by schools such as International Schooling have advantages like flexibility, a positive learning environment, freedom for adapting lessons, and a curriculum that fits the specific needs of special needs children.
“Special need” is an inclusive term, so one must do proper research before registering the child for home education and ensure that the program fits well with your child’s diagnosis. For instance, if your child is Autistic, you need to ask yourself – What kind of biological, psychological, and behavioral factors are to be considered? If the child needs a different kind of learning environment, parents need to find a program that will work best for the child’s needs. Parents must do their due diligence before committing to a program. They may also consult with an expert beforehand.
There are online forums that can help you with homeschooling in Hong Kong for children with special needs. You can also connect to the local and online support groups that work on bringing people together with similar needs and requirements, and you can find families who will be willing to steer you in the right direction.
The laws related to K-12 online schooling differ from one country to the other. You need to learn the laws, rules, and regulations that comply with special needs children, and here online forums and discussion boards can come in handy.
Homeschooling in Hong Kong for special needs children is highly rewarding. It allows you more time with the child and lets you care for their needs. From therapy schedules to diet restrictions, everything can be catered to easily by the parent. Also, you get more time for repetitions to help the child understand challenging concepts. Homeschooling certainly offers more flexibility as you decide what is to be learned, when it is to be learned, and how it is to be learned – not a clock. So, choose wisely and have the best time learning alongside your lovely children.
Mira Lew
Jul 22, 2024
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