When your home becomes your school

Homeschooling as a method of education has been gaining popularity in Goa and this is quite evident with the increasing number of families joining the association. The 4th National Catholic Homeschooler Meet will be held today in Goa with an open house to answer queries from those interested in knowing more

 Homeschooling is being redefined and coming into the mainstream education system in Goa. With many parents opting to be with their children and educating them according to their desired syllabus of various boards, homeschooling is becoming a system of security and letting the child grow without any rat race.

Dr Zenita Sequiera Vas and her husband, Lewis, are parents to five children – Luke, Jerome, Maria, Clare and John Paul. She has been homeschooling her children for the last 13 years with syllabus from the NCERT/ ICSE/CBSE boards. Her elder son, Luke, is doing his Second Year BSc at Parvatibai Chowgule College of Arts & Science, Margao. “Luke loves science and it was apt that he joined the Science stream at the college. My second son has joined the religious order at 17 years. In our home, we participate in the morning mass and then follow the schedule for the day according to school time. I feel very encouraged when I see more parents opting for homeschooling as it helps the parents a lot. A child can grow to their full potential. However, it is important for the parents to be committed and the main focus should be on their child’s education. In this system, there is security, both physical as well as moral wellbeing. The onus is on the parents and the child can excel according to their potential,” say Dr Zenita. She was one of the first parents to form a support group for homeschooling parents.

Homeschooling also benefits large families with multiple children, as they grow and learn together. While the largest family that is homeschooling in Goa has eight children, a family in Kerala has 13. Most children receive homeschooling till Class 10, while some continue till Class 12 and some till graduation through correspondence. The time at home gives them the opportunity to explore their interests in other hobbies, which turn into passion like music, sports, arts and gardening. It is also important to evaluate the children every year at home.

Nadisha Coelho James from Soccoro is one of the finest examples as the first homeschooled child in Goa. A mother of a two-year-old, she completed her PhD in Psychology at IIT, Mumbai. Daughter of Anna and Valentine Coelho, her two sisters and two brothers have joined the religious order. Nadisha studied till Class 4 in school before she started being homeschooled. It was a struggle at first because it was a new concept in the early ‘90s in Goa. “We had to devise our own way to do things and we then set up a support group in Goa,” says Nadisha, who is now encouraging the system through annual meets.

Speaking about the pros of the system, she explains, “A child can learn on their own interest and pace. There is no comparison or competition with other children. There is no conflict between learning and playing. There is internal motivation and socially, the children of different age groups interact together. It is important to have discipline in following the structure.”

Son of Glenn and Auriel Ribeiro Sa from Mapusa, Aaron is one of five siblings. He was homeschooled at the age of 11 years, right after he finished his primary schooling through public school. “I found homeschooling good as I was able to study any time of the day; I could chose subjects that I liked. Hindi and History were my least favourite subjects. In public school, I never understood half the things I learnt, just by hearted them like a parrot so I could pass my tests. Also in public school, I had classmates with ill manners. They would pass notes or make noises and disturb my concentration. By being at home, I did not have any distractions except my brothers and sister. I completed my 10th board exams through National Institution of Open Schooling (NIOS) and I’m now completing my 12th board exams. I was also able to pursue my love for drawing and painting, which is my favourite hobby,” says Aaron, who plans to pursue a Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts after his Class 12.

The Catholic Homeschooling families of Goa, along with the Satvana Community from the Diocese of Delhi will organise the open house session of the 4th National Catholic Homeschoolers Meet at SVD Raia on October 20, 2019 from 4:30pm to 6pm. Parents, students and alumni of homeschooling will be open to answering questions about catholic homeschooling at the venue. This is the second edition of the 4 National Catholic Homeschooler Meet that is happening in Goa. There are nearly 150 members in Goa.