Exploring Parental Perspectives on Homeschooling in the Context of Pakistan’s Educational System

Abstract

This study explores the parental perspective towards homeschooling in the context of education in Karachi. Using a qualitative phenomenological approach, we conducted interviews with parents who homeschool their children to gain insights into their experiences and attitudes toward homeschooling. Semi-structured questions were used to explore themes such as parental qualifications, awareness about homeschooling, views on traditional schooling, and the challenges faced while homeschooling. Thematic analysis was applied to the collected data to identify major outcomes, including the impact of parental qualifications, awareness, dissatisfaction with traditional schooling, improved academic performance, better personality development, cost differences, and challenges faced during homeschooling. This study sheds light on the benefits and challenges of homeschooling in the context of Education in Karachi and provides insights into parental perspectives on this educational approach. Qualification of parents, awareness of the process, unsatisfaction with school environment and system due to the absence of ethical values, bullying culture, grading and exams, enforced & burdened learning, distracted learning, good social, physical, and psychological effects on the children, cost difference, and good performance in the tests without schools all these are the elements mentioned by the parents for deciding to homeschool their children. Also, they face some challenges like social pressure and extra requirement of parental involvement. The findings of this study may be useful for parents, educators, and policymakers interested in alternative forms of education in Karachi.