Ya Mon, Homeschooling has made it to Jamaica

by Andrea Hermitt | More from this Blogger

20 Jan 2009 09:36 AM

I have always thought of Jamaican education as superior to American Education. Having a great deal of Jamaican family members and friends, I had always observed that children coming to America from Jamaica were a couple of years ahead of American Children. They would always get skipped ahead a couple of grades, as far as their maturity would allow, and they tended to graduate from American schools at 15 or 16.

With that said, I was somewhat aware of dangers and political unrest in Jamaica in recent years, but had no idea that it had affected Jamaican Education. Although, I must say that people visiting from Jamaica were always intrigued that we homeschooled. They would raise their eyebrows in a way that said... how interesting. I always thought that meant they thought I was crazy, but then again if a Jamaican thinks you are crazy, they usually just tell you so.

Anyway, a story crossed my computer screen this morning about homeschooling in Jamaica. It begins with,

AS primary school-aged children all over Jamaica donned neatly ironed uniforms and excitedly hurried off to their respective schools to begin the new term two weeks ago, two children moved from their bedroom to a makeshift classroom adjoining their home to begin the day's lessons.

And goes on to say that the family profiled in the story is known for their unconventional ways. But they are not alone. The actual amount of homeschooler in Jamaica is unclear.

While the ministry has no figures on how many children are being homeschooled locally, Forrest said based on his experience, he "would be surprised if there were more than 50" at the secondary level. He said more children were homeschooled at the primary level than at the secondary level, but declined to give an estimate of that number.

Read more of this story from the Jamaican Observer. Homeschooling around the World: Australia & New Zealand

Homeschooling around the World: Middle East

Homeschooling Around the World: African & Asia

Homeschooling around the World Europe

Homeschooling around the World: The Americas Still Growing: More and more families homeschooling

Learn more about Andrea Hermitt

Andrea Hermitt is a native New Yorker currently residing in GA. She has been married for over 16 years and has two teenage children.

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