In recent years, homeschooling has been gaining attention worldwide, not only as an alternative to traditional schooling but also as a flexible learning approach for families seeking more personalised education. In India, while homeschooling is still relatively uncommon, it has seen increased interest, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted conventional schooling methods.
According to the Home School Legal Defense Association, homeschooling in countries like the United States has grown by over 30% in the last decade. In India, estimates by various parenting forums and educational surveys suggest that thousands of families across metros such as Bengaluru, Pune, and Chennai are opting for homeschooling or hybrid learning models.
Why Families Explore Homeschooling?
In India, homeschooling is not regulated by a specific law; however, many parents choose to enrol their children in open schooling programmes such as NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling) or IGCSE (Cambridge International) to enable them to appear for board examinations. However, homeschooling families may also face challenges such as:
Regardless of the approach, books remain central to learning. In homeschooling, they often serve multiple purposes:
At Woodpecker Books, our collections are designed with flexibility in mind: from phonics readers and activity- and play-based learning sets for early years, to reading programme box sets, to classics, science explorations, history, and nature titles. Whether your child learns at home, in school, or through a mix of both, our titles can be adapted to suit varied learning journeys.
Looking Ahead
Homeschooling is not a one-size-fits-all solution nor is traditional schooling. Each family chooses what works best for their child’s personality, needs, and aspirations. What is certain is that quality resources, supportive communities, and a love for learning can make any educational path more enriching.
Words by Ripal Dixit (Senior Editor)
