Eire - Ireland
In Ireland, parents have a constitutional right to educate their children at home.
Bunreacht na hÉireann, the Irish Constitution recognises the family as the primary educator of the child and defines the duties and responsibilities for parents and the state in the education of children.
If you choose to teach your child at home, often called homeschooling or home education, you do not need a formal teaching qualification. You do not need to follow the national curriculum, but you must ensure that your child receives a certain minimum education.
You can choose a suitable approach to teaching your child based on their learning needs and what is appropriate to their age, aptitude, and ability.
More than 2,500 children, between the ages of 6 and 16 years, are on the register of the Alternative Education Assessment and Registration Service.
There are several parent-run support groups, who organise talks, conferences, camping trips, local contacts and answer queries.
Many families come to home education after a child is diagnosed with special educational needs, and no suitable school place is available.
(Source data.tusla.ie)
Our Irish Experts :
Monica
Hi, I am Monica O'Connor with 6 children and have been home educating in Eire (Ireland) since 1986. I am the local county Carlow contact for the Home Education Network, a parent support group. I was very influenced by the unschooling ideas of John Holt. My other heroes in this topic include Maire Mullarney, Maria Montessori and Suzi Andres. My youtube channel has interviews with 16 home educated young people, discussing their education and what they did with college study and work.