New Delhi, May 23: The trend of homeschooling is rapidly increasing in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada, driven by growing concerns over children’s mental health. According to a survey conducted by the WHO across 44 countries, the number of 15-year-old girls feeling pressure from school rose from 54% in 2018 to 63% in 2022.
In the United States alone, approximately 3.2 million children, or 6% of school-age children, were homeschooled in 2024, marking a doubling of the number since 2019. Initially associated mainly with traditional Christian families, homeschooling is now gaining popularity among various communities.
Parents are increasingly worried about issues such as discrimination in schools, insensitive curricula, social media pressures, and the overall mental health of their children. A survey in England revealed that one in six homeschooled children experienced mental health impacts related to their education.
While homeschooling is flourishing in the U.S., the trend has also seen significant growth in the UK, where 112,000 children (a 105% increase) and in Australia, where 63,000 children (a 95% increase) have opted for home education. However, in countries like China, Germany, Greece, Spain, and Turkey, obtaining permission for homeschooling remains a challenge.