Gold Coast children being homeschooled triples in just five years

The rate of children leaving schools on the Gold Coast to be taught at home has almost tripled in just five years. And parents say there’s a simple, disturbing reason why.

THE number of Gold Coast children quitting mainstream schooling has almost tripled in five years, with parents blaming bullying and anti-social behaviour.

Registrations of Gold Coast children for home education has jumped from 117 to 339 students between 2013 and 2018.

The surge matches a statewide jump of 191 per cent in registrations to a total of 3232 last year. An additionally 404 Gold Coast kids are being taught at home through distance education (DE) full-time this year.

A further 232 students are enrolled part-time DE.

The data published by the Department of Education also revealed boys made up 60 per cent of those enrolled for home schooling on the Coast.

Most Gold Coast students registered for home schooling were aged between nine and 10.

Home education registration means the education of the child is provided by one or both of the child’s parents, or registered teachers at the child’s home.

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Distance education is regular curriculum taught online, at home.

Mother-of-six Natasha Correia who uses DE said she believes the numbers could be “double and triple” those reported.

“I can tell you those numbers are very inaccurate, there are many more families out there, some not in the system,” she told the Bulletin.

Ms Correia, who is part of GC Homeschoolers — a meet-up group for home and distance education families — said she had seen the number of families leaving regular schooling.

“Those who are joining are parents of children suffering severe anxiety, have learning disabilities or needs not being met,” she said.

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The number of kids being homeschooled on the Gold Coast has increased exponentially. The group GC homeschooling ensures these kids have social interactions outside of their family unit.

“Bullying is one of the major issues and teachers have no authority to do much about it. Others are not taught to a degree that is sufficient.”

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For Ms Correia homeschooling became an option when she discovered her eldest was learning at a faster rate than his classmates.

“He just wanted to learn but that wasn’t happening, I was disillusioned with the schooling system.

“Our kids are happy and enjoy full social lives, it is the right choice for us.”

GC Homeschoolers founder Valma Cronau agreed there had been a sharp increase in home and distance educators on the Gold Coast in the last 20 years.

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Natasha Correia with students Cristien Correia (11), Louella Evans (11), Channelle Correia (7), Raquelle Correia (5) and Vivian Macedo (4).

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“When we first started I literally could have counted home schooling families on one hand. What we are finding now is parents are being pushed to the extreme and don’t feel supported by the school system.

“There is too much bullying not enough being done about it, it’s not just children but teachers as well. Some children are so stressed they can’t even function.

“I get phone calls all the time about it.”

Ms Cronau, whose son is set to graduate from Year 12 this year said alternative education was not what people think.

“The social side is a big thing, it is not like we lock our kids in cellars, we start work at 8am but make sure they go to parks, beaches, tours of museums and classes with friends.

“Financially it is a huge decision to home school, there is very little financial support.”

Professor Donna Pendergast head of the Griffith School of Education said home or distance education was a viable option for many, particularly families with gifted children.

“I believe actual numbers have increased, people are more aware of home schooling as an option — it has become more normalised.

“It is my experience of people who are home schooling parents have a high degree of commitment to the process.”

The Department of Education did not respond to questions.