HSLDA is actively supporting the homeschooling community in countries all
over the globe, whether through legal support, engagement with leaders on the
ground, or advocacy in the legislatures. Here are just a few of the notable updates.
We will continue to pray for and stand with all homeschooling families around the
world as they defend their rights.
For regular updates on the international homeschooling community, subscribe to
attorney Kevin Boden’s newsletter.
You can support our work in these communities by donating.
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International Conference
HSLDA supported the 5th Global Home Education Conference in July, which brought together homeschooling leaders, organizations, families, politicians, and academic experts from 31 countries. Nearly 300 people attended the event in Manchester, England, which focused on the practical advancement of homeschool freedom across the globe and consisted of some 38 hours of sessions led by trusted voices in the homeschooling movement.
THE UNITED KINGDOM | Homeschooling families in
England are facing the possibility of a government
registry after a threatening bill was introduced in
parliament this year. While the bill has not made
major progress, the result of national elections
in July has significantly increased its chances of
becoming law—the new Labour Party government
has signaled its intention to include homeschool
children in an upcoming bill. Read more here.
FRANCE | Families continue to
advocate for their right to homeschool, even as their government
continues to deny that right to
thousands. HSLDA is supporting three
of these families in their legal action
against the French government. The case
for one of the families recently went to the
European Court of Human Rights, and the
other two cases are pending in France’s
appellate court system. French legislative
leaders rebuffed the bills introduced
to restore these freedoms. Read more here.
BRAZIL | An estimated 11,000 homeschool families are currently facing
government action. While there was
hope and even an expectation that
homeschooling would be explicitly
recognized as lawful in 2022, a Supreme
Court decision, a new president, and a lack of
federal legislation has resulted in thousands
of prosecutions instead. Some 70,000 students
are homeschooled in the country, according
to a Brazilian homeschooling organization called
ANED. Read more about the status of Brazil.
THE NETHERLANDS | There is reason to celebrate
in the Netherlands! HSLDA worked with a family
who was being prosecuted for truancy because
of their decision to homeschool their daughter.
After a long process, we were delighted to receive
news in September that the family was acquitted of
all charges. They can now homeschool in peace, without the
looming threat of punishment. We are grateful for the Lord’s
provision for this family and for the many advocates in the
country who have supported and prayed for them over the
past year. Read more about the status of the Netherlands.
KENYA | HSLDA continues to
support the case of a family
that has been battling to
homeschool since 2019,
when the father was arrested
and charged with infringing on
a child’s right to an education. Both the
father and his three children were held in
police cells overnight. In a series of appeals
and court filings, the father is alleging that
the 2023 education law at issue unconstitutionally forbids home education.
The Nairobi Court of Appeals is currently
considering a request to declare the law
unconstitutional. Read more about the
status of Kenya.
ROMANIA | A new law appears to
have set the stage for a radical change
in the way the government views
home education, and has resulted in
what one person described as a “witch
hunt against homeschooling families.”
Prosecutions have increased sharply. One
family was found guilty of what the state calls
“forbidding access to a free education,” and the
parents now face a four-month jail sentence.
Thankfully, the parents are appealing the
decision, and have a two-year delay of the
sentence in order to enroll the children in
public school. Read more about the status of
Romania.
SOUTH AFRICA | A terrible bill for homeschooling
has become law, following close to a decade of
pushback. The extremely lengthy piece of legislation makes homeschooling functionally illegal,
and parents who do not comply with its onerous
requirements now face jail time. Homeschooling
families showed up in force to advocate against the bill,
but their concerns were, sadly, ignored. The law took effect
immediately when it was signed in September. Read more here.
