With it becoming a global trend and more prevalent in Bahamian society over the past few years, the Ministry of Education has announced it will be regularizing homeschooling in The Bahamas.

The announcement was made at a press conference held at the Ministry of Education yesterday morning.

Minister of Education Jerome Fitzgerald said the process has been in the works since 2002 and the overall purpose of the new homeschooling unit is to ensure that every child in The Bahamas receives a quality education.

“Like most Bahamians, we don’t know much about homeschooling unless we’re actually involved in it but many of us know little about homeschooling apart from the term. So to come face to face and understand the prevalence of it in The Bahamas… and it was brought to my attention so we can figure out ways to ensure that it is given the level of respect that it is due and to ensure that regulations are put in place to ensure that all of the children that are involved are getting the best possible education.

“This will allow them by extension to get the same opportunities provided to children in what we call traditional school environments,” Mr. Fitzgerald said.

President of the Bahamas Homeschooling Association Pastor Cedric Moss said as the practice of homeschooling continues to grow it is vital for the government to facilitate and not frustrate the process.

“We’re grateful that the ministry has taken a common sense approach to regulation and it is clear that objective is to facilitate not frustrate persons that choose to home school their children.

“We at the Bahamas Homeschooling Association pledge our full support for these regulations and we will ensure that all of our members are aware of them and are compliant with them,” Mr. Moss said.

Minister Fitzgerald also noted the importance of regularizing this practice as a means of collecting data on the amount of homeschooled students in The Bahamas.

Mr. Fitzgerald was not able to give a direct answer on the amount of homeschooled students in The Bahamas but Pastor Moss indicated there are about 100 families which equates to about 300 students.

The newly established Homeschool Unit falls under the purview of Dr. Iva Dahl.

The unit officially launches this Monday, August 15th and the ministry is inviting all interested persons to register at to register at office of the National Accreditation and Equivalency Council of The Bahamas at the RND Plaza.

The application form and brochure are available on the Ministry’s website at www.ministryofeducationbahamas.com and inquiries may be emailed to homeschoolunit@moe.edu.bs.