Homegrown Heroes: Nurturing Bright Futures Through Homeschooling in Pakistan

In a world where education often feels like a predefined path, homeschooling emerges as a map, leading to an undiscovered territory. Let me take you on a journey, not just through the monotonous corridors of traditional education, but through the vibrant landscapes of homeschooling- a world within itself- where every passing moment is an opportunity to grow, discover and learn something new.

In my household, homeschooling came about as a mere decision that our mothers-like many other mothers at that time- took out of frustration during the COVID-19 lockdown. Little did they know it was to soon transform the very fabrics of our family dynamics. Now, we were always the rebel kind of family in our extended circle of relatives so no one was particularly surprised when my mother decided to homeschool my then, 4- and 6-year-old brothers- for… pretty much most of their initial educational years. Let me share our journey with you. fast forward to 2024 ;

You see, my brothers, 7 and 9, are not bound by the walls of a classroom but are instead free to explore the wonders of the world from the comfort of our home. They don’t come home at 2pm, with their mood swings because Huzaifa from kindergarten borrowed his pencil and refused to give it back or getting cranky because the teacher forgot to give him the star sticker she promised. Jokes aside, they have been learning quite a lot of things-and are way ahead than kids their age- given that only 2 hours a day is utilised for maths and English because majority of the stuff, they have learned “khel khel main” (all in the game) like they say.

Picture this: My dad, ever the visionary, decided to complement their education with hands-on experience. He brought home a flock of chicken, sparking an adventure that would soon ignite their entrepreneurial spirit. Together with my cousin, they ventured into the world of business, nurturing their mini farm and delighting in the joy of selling eggs and chicks to the neighbours and friends. “Hamy’s farm” they named it, designing stickers and arranging boxes-all that professional stuff that I myself became officially introduced to, much later in my life. Who knew that a simple idea could blossom into a thriving enterprise? teaching invaluable lessons of responsibility, resourcefulness and most importantly handling money (they saved up to buy an incubator).

But it doesn’t stop there. Homeschooling isn’t just about academics; it’s about community, connection and collaboration. Our moms, in their infinite wisdom, established a WhatsApp group- a virtual hub of creativity and camaraderie- where ideas are shared, friendships are forged and activities are organised. From sports days and field trips to science experiments, from book clubs to baking classes, every interaction is an opportunity to learn and socialise.

And let’s talk about technology. In today’s digital age, proficiency in technology is not just a skill rather, a necessity. My brothers, at the tender ages of 7 and 9 are already delving into the world of technology-related applications, learning to code, to design and experiment-all trial and error. With the world at their fingertips, there are no limits to what they can achieve. Learning for the sake of learning and not some exam they have to pass. Now tell me, do schools here in Pakistan give our children such opportunities at the primary stages of their education?

I could go on and on describing the absolute wonders homeschooling in Pakistan can do, but it’s all idle talk without a proper direction which I will be covering in the upcoming articles. Let me summarise some points we took into account before delving into this:

Socialising Opportunities:

• Participate in extracurricular activities and other events arranged by the homeschooling community like sports day, handicraft festivals, workshops and picnics etc.
• Attend organised gatherings and events.
• Foster meaningful connections to build robust social skills.

Curriculum Development and Diverse Learning Experiences:

• Incorporate a diverse range of subjects. From traditional subjects like math and language arts to niche topics like media or coding.
• You can include additional skills that you think your child can learn like crochet, baking, pottery etc. In my case, we incorporated wood work and carpentry in the homeschooling curriculum keeping in mind my brothers’ interests.
• Focus on developing soft skills in your child like critical thinking, communication, teamwork etc. this can be done by arranging science projects for kids to foster teamwork.

Facilitating Education at Home and beyond:

• Access to resources for interactive learning.For Example, if you are teaching your child the concept of reflection in physics, make sure to make it a hands on experience by arranging the required apparatus and performing experiments at home.
• Connect with homeschooling support networks.
• Utilise tailored curricula to meet individual learning needs.
• Seek advice from experienced homeschooling families.
• Join local co-ops and attend workshops for invaluable insights and strategies.
• To enhance interactive learning experiences, consider incorporating visits to historical monuments and museums for history classes. like Mohatta palace, friar hall, PAF museum etc.
• You can also explore science museums like “MagnifiScience” for a hands-on science education.

So why homeschooling in Pakistan? Because it’s more than just an education; it’s a lifestyle—a journey of endless possibilities. It’s about embracing the freedom to learn at your own pace. To those considering homeschooling, I say this: Do your research and Take the leap. For in the home front classroom, the world is your oyster, and the journey is just beginning.