For Singapore, homeschooling is considered to be a rare alternative to compulsory education. It usually involves a full-time stay-at-home parent teaching the basic subjects to his/her children. The syllabus used by the homeschool has to be approved by the Ministry of Education.

Here are some criteria the parents and the child must fulfil:

1. The parent must receive certification by the Ministry of Education (MOE) to prove that he/she is qualified to teach.

2. The parent must have MOE-approved syllabus and schedule/plan for teaching.

3. The parent must pass an assessment by a MOE representative. This assessment judges the conduciveness of homeschooling environment, reasons for homeschooling, and desired educational outcomes.

4. The child must pass English, Mathematics, Science and Chinese in the Primary School Leaving Examination within the ages of 11-14.

As long as the basic requirements stated above are fulfilled, it is completely up to the homeschooling parent as to what is taught and how the lessons are conducted. It is mostly flexible.

People homeschool their children for a variety of reasons, here are just a few:

- They feel that the school education system is flawed

- The child has special needs that the school education system may not cater to

- To impart religious values

The benefits include:

- Flexible schedule and curriculum

- The child can learn whatever he/she wants to learn

- More family time

- The child learns to be responsible and independent

No. The public is usually concerned about whether homeschooling will compromise the child's social interaction as well as academic performance but this is not true.

Homeschooled children typically have more time for social interaction. The homeschooling community is a tight-knitted ones and there are often social activities organized either by the homeschoolers or the students themselves. Since they have no homework or co-curricular activities (CCAs), they have more time to engage in social interaction.

As long as they complete what they have to do for the day, the remaining time is given to them to purse whatever interests they have. Not only academically, but the homeschooled children are available to gradually develop their potential in their area of interest to the best.

There is minimal frontal teaching during homeschooling. Most of the learning is done by the student independently and intervention only comes in when the student has questions or doubts to be clarified.

However, homeschooling is not for a parent to slack off. Parents who homeschool possibly put in more effort to prepare materials ahead of lessons and arrange for extra-curricular activities for their children.

No, most of the homeschoolers are ordinary children. We understand that the media tends to feature children who were homeschooled under special circumstances.

The children we met are inquisitive about the world, but are not outliers academically.

It is possible that homeschooled children advance more rapidly through the syallbus because they are not restrained by the set pace of schools.

You can seek help from homeschooling communities in Singapore, they are very willing to guide you and provide advice.

- Singapore Homeschooling Group on Yahoo

- Singapore Homeschool Group website

- Homeschool Singapore on Facebook

- Other Singapore homeschooling blogs like a piece of cake 

This depends on what curriculum is being used. However, parents can also mix and match materials to supplement the child's learning. The materials should be the best for the child and enables the child to enjoy what he/she learns.

It will be best to reach out to current homeschooling families to get recommendations on the best options.

Definitely. Homeschooling communities host a vast range of activities for both the child and parent to take part in. Such activities include sports days, fun fairs, concerts and outdoor trips together with other homeschooling familites.

There are many materials online that can provide help. Asking friends or other homeschooling parents will also allow the parent to learn teaching tips. Alternatively, he/she can outsource to private tutors/tuition centres for extra help.

​Additionally, as a parent, you may learn the material ahead of your child to prepare yourself for teaching.

Upon completing all the grades (up to Grade 12), the child can choose to apply to any of our local polytechnics or to Nanyang Technological University (NTU). As of yet, National University of Singapore (NUS) does not accept applicants from homeschooled background.

This will depend on the university involved. For local universities, Nanyang Technological University accepts applications using internationally recognised exams such as the one used by Accelerated Christian Education. Homeschoolers are likely to be invited for an interview for the university to ascertain their suitability.

Homeschooled children are not necessarily at a disadvantage. They can still sit for AP (Advcanced Placement) and IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) for certification. These are recognised by most foreign and local universities.

You can either contact the homeschooling communities or send us your queries through this website.