Embracing home-schooling in 2022 for renewed results

Many of us remained hopeful and imagined that 2021 would be a year in which we would thrive and shake off the debris of a horribly catastrophic and traumatic pandemic, return to functional normality and even possibly be wandering around our community without masks, able to touch things without fear of not being adequately sanitised. Sadly, the opposite appeared to be true – 2021 rolled in with a robust amount of safety restrictions and permanent anxiety over what to expect next.

Our children have suffered the brunt of this exhaustive process and although many feel that they have adapted (perhaps better than adults), their school lives as they knew it has changed and it is unrealistic to believe that traditional schooling will remain as it was, in the years to come. Children from Grade R to Grade 12 are expected to wear masks, eat, and learn in demarcated areas, attend school on alternate days (adding the pressure of the responsibility of finding alternate care for children at home), avoid contact with friends and restrictions with regards to sports and extramural activities. Over the past 18 months, the very nature and attitude of South Africans towards home-schooling have evolved and has become rather positive with an increase in options and the confidence that we are better orientated towards this new level of education that will serve a dynamic purpose in the future. Where many might have watched in either awe or judgement, as parents chose to home-school their children, whilst travelling the world or providing their children with an array of alternative experiences; it now seems quite rational to engage in a conversation in the shopping aisle with a fellow parent who has placed their child/ren in a home-school in the area. 

There is a noticeable shift in conversation and many parents are revelling with delight that there may be light at the end of this long and dark tunnel. As we enter the 4th wave of lockdown restrictions, the thought of a life where parents and learners might not have to be placed in suddenly disruptive circumstances is a hot topic. There is significant value placed in the thought that a sudden and extended closure of a traditional school due to exposure to positive COVID-19 cases might not be applicable if parents opt for smaller school classes, whilst benefiting from the advancement of teaching methods, to adjust to the new normal. This is no doubt an opportunity that many parents have chosen for their children for the 2022 academic year. 

The traditional schooling environment has changed and the opportunity for parents to teach or facilitate their child/ren’s learning programme, at their own productive pace through distance learning, focusing on their positive skills and maximising on their passion for certain subjects and themes; or at a local home-school with more one on one attention and smaller classes for a fraction of the fee, is more feasible and suitable. During 2020, we experienced a stressful transition into parenting/teaching mode, however in 2021, many parents have progressed onto this path and in 2022, it is anticipated that more parents will be strategic and mindful of their decisions and embrace the journey.

Tutors & Exams is an Independent Private Candidate Exam Centre that provides examination facilities in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and South Africa. There is currently a centre based in Gauteng and more will open within other provinces in South Africa over the coming year. For learners to benefit from the home-schooling environment, examinations must be facilitated in accredited examination centres with invigilators. Tutors & Exams currently offers one on one personal assistance with the examination process, from start of registration to receipt of results for the Pearson Curriculum and will be partnering with other institutes and offering this service for other curriculums soon. For learners that live outside of Gauteng, travel and logistical arrangements are provided for, to ensure that learners are prepared and at ease as they write their examinations, just as if they were in the comfort of their home environment. Mari-etta van der Bank, Centre Manager from Tutors & Exams highlights the fact that, “In addition, we offer assistance with ordering and providing handbooks, communication with experienced learning partners throughout the year, relevant information, tips and offerings that will make the home-schooling experience a pleasant and less stressful experience for learners and their parents.” By engaging with an examination centre that can process and maintain communication between stakeholders, Tutors & Exams will also resolve conflicting examination timetables, ensuring that if two subjects clash, this can be managed prior to the examination. All examination centres follow strict COVID-19 protocol and are fogged and sanitised in line with government regulations, providing a safe and secure space for learners to attend examinations, which equates to less concern for parents and learners about the safety of the examination environment negatively impacting the academic year. “We encourage our learners to visit our facilities, which provides an opportunity for them to feel less anxious about the examinations as they get to know our team, have the opportunity to gather information and advice and also see the centre; learners can then focus on equipping and empowering themselves academically and worry less about the environment that they’ll be writing in and understand what to expect when they arrive to write the examination.”

“Tutors & Exams will be hosting an Open Day on 29th January 2022 from 09h00 – 12h00 in Pretoria, which is open to all students, parents and teachers registered with the Pearson Curriculum and other learning programmes. Follow us on social media and send us an email on pretoria@tutorsandexams.co.za if you require more information about our services – we are looking forward to partnering with you on your home-schooling journey and providing a progressive and favourable impact on your academic career, from International GCSE's and International A Levels.”