Northern Ireland - 2
Examining the meaning of the expression full-time shows the hours spent on teaching in schools are not relevant to home education, which generally takes place on a one-to-one basis, or in small groups, in very different conditions.
Provided the child is not a registered pupil at a school, the parent is not required to provide any particular type of education, and is under no obligation to
- have premises equipped to any particular standard
- have any specific qualifications
- cover the same syllabus as any school
- adopt the National Curriculum
- make detailed plans in advance
- observe school hours, days or terms
- have a fixed timetable
- give formal lessons
- reproduce school type peer group socialisation
- match school, age-specific standards
- seek permission to educate 'otherwise'
- take the initiative in informing the Board
- have regular contact with the Board
Education and Library Board Duties
Enquiries about Educational Provision
Schedule 13 Enforcement of duty imposed by article 45 place a duty upon the board to take certain actions if it appears that a child is not being properly educated.
Part 1
1(1) Where it appears to a board that a parent of a child of compulsory school age in its area is failing to perform the duty imposed on him by article 45(1), the board shall serve on the parent a notice requiring him, within such period not being less than fourteen days from the service of the notice, to satisfy the board that the child is, by regular attendance or otherwise, receiving efficient full-time education suitable to his age, ability and aptitude and to any special educational needs he may have, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise.
The Board’s legal duty is concerned solely with children who appear not to be receiving suitable education. There is no implication that a Board should be active where it appears that a child is receiving suitable education at home. Nowhere in the act is it stated that regular monitoring of suitable education is a legal responsibility of the Board.