Homeschooling in Africa is still in its early stages when compared to somewhere like the USA that has over 50 years under her belt, while there are thriving Homeschooling communities in countries like Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, South Africa, etc. we still have a dearth of information about Homeschooling in Africa. In this article I would be exploring, our strengths and our unique challenges in Africa with regard to Homeschooling, and how we can still thrive regardless of those challenges. 

Introduction: 

Let's start with defining what Homeschooling is; I always define Home education as parenting pro max because your child is in your face 90% of the time but that's just my own definition, a more acceptable one is creating an individualized education for your child. It is an alternative form of education where parents take on the primary responsibility for their children's learning. I believe Africans need to embrace Home education as a viable alternative to education and not just for individuals but as a way to curb the current out-of-school children or children from low-income families, but that is a conversation for another day.

Understand The Benefits of Homeschooling in Africa: 

Understanding The Challenges of Homeschooling in Africa: 

Understanding the legal and regulatory concerns: 

Understanding how to map out your child's education in Africa: 

For you to make Homeschooling effective in Africa, you have to understand the trajectory your child's education will take so you can know what you would like to do. In the USA for example, there are different ways you can use to record your child's education transcript and everything they get up to so it makes transitioning to traditional school/college seamless, however, in most African countries there are no set guidelines or regulations to follow so you have to be proactive as a parent. 

In whatever African country you are, you have to understand where your child will transition back into the traditional schooling or the exams needed to write to get into the university and prepare for that. I know in Nigeria, we write an exam after Primary 6, After Jss3 and SS3 (Jamb & Waec) to enter the university. You have to make a plan ahead to know where you will transition them and prepare them for those exams if you want to.

Understanding the need for assessment and record keeping: 

Understanding the need for advocacy & recognition:

What are your thoughts on how Homeschooling in Africa can be effective? 

 It's 2023 and it's been a couple of years since we visited Mindscape museum last.

I've been going to Mindscape on and off since 2019 and I've seen different forms of them since then and one thing that is a constant is IT'S AN ABSOLUTELY LOVELY PLACE.

One of the spaces I've given 5 cuddly loves, not because they don't have their shortcomings but because the value outweighs the shortcomings.

They have upgraded since the last time I went there, here are some of the things that changed.

1. They upgraded some of the exhibits. Removed some (bank, law court) and replaced with Town Hall, imaginative play area (the blue blocks space) they also added the Nigeria map section. Those knobs when pressed tell you a bit about the state pressed. How cool is that?

2. They have minders that are present but not intrusive. I think part of what they stand for is independent play so they are around watching the kids but not interfering with their play.

3. There's someone to take you around if it's your first time in the space. They will show you around (I saw them do for 2 people while we were there)

4. The space seems brighter. Like they added more light. I don't remember it being that bright before.


What I didn't like

What I didn't like was that the prices have gone up slightly. But I mean, it's understandable because Nigeria is Nigeriaing at the moment.

The other thing I didn't like or should I say they can do better is refreshing the spaces or having their staff be a bit more hands-on with the utilization of each space (not necessarily with the kids) e.g in the restaurant there is a staff giving the kids money before they have to pretend play or something like that. That way the goal of each space will be achieved with the kids.

Price

Children 3 and above 4,500
Children 12 months to 35 months 2,500
Parents Free
Nanny 3000

They want to encourage you as the parents to be involved so you pay extra if your nanny is the one in charge of your kids.

I love what they are about and I'm definitely going back. If you are looking for midterm Waka. You're welcome and like I said, it's worth a trip from the mainland.

Location: Lekki Phase 1. Map is correct!.

Watch the video here

10 simple activities that keep your kids engaged.

Bookmark for days when you need ideas.

Picked these 10 activities from different themes, now imagine you have 40+ themes and each theme has 12 activities. Will you run out of ideas?

Now, walk to the link here to order your themes so you don't have to run out of ideas again! (See what I did there?)

How do you keep your kids engaged?

My first interest in Bauchi was when I followed an account called @Bauchi_friends on Instagram and I had also been seeing a lot of the lovely "Wikki warm springs" images and videos online and I found out Bauchi wasn't so far away from Jos that I knew we had to make the trip. Kill 2 birds with one stone. I still wasn't so sure, I mean would they have things for kids to do in Jos, will Bauchi be safe? But something else solidified my decision to go. 

My domestic help came from Jos who told me it was a safe place for us to travel to. 

Our goal is to travel to safe places in Nigeria that have airports with the kids and anything that aligns with our goal we are for it. This year we have a goal of 4 places and this was our first trip and it was so worth it.  

How I prepared

Places to visit:

• Google Search: I did a lot of Google searches to find websites that have written lists of places but the challenge is that most of them are not tailored to parents who have kids (and that's why we are here right?) Our articles are tailored for places to visit with kids.  
  
  
  
• Online Creators/Vendors: I found different creators who are based in Jos, travelers who have gone to Bauchi, and tour guides. I watched all the videos and reached out to some who helped me build my itinerary-unfortunately the Jos tour guide was too expensive for me. There were a few places I couldn't go because we had a tight schedule and looking back I wonder how we did it with 2 kids. 

Our Itinerary:

1. Rayfield Resort
2. Jos Museum 
3. Jos Zoo 
4. Mees Palace 
5. 100 Steps 
6. Jos Wildlife Park 
7. 10 Commandments 
8. Jos - Bauchi Trip
9. Sumu Wildlife Park
10. Yankari Game Reserve Museum
11. Wikki Warm Spring
12. Giddan Bauchi 
13. Tafawa Balewa Tomb & Museum 
14. Emirs Palace 

Flight: 

Only 2 airlines fly to Jos (Didn't find one for Bauchi but they have an airport) 

Arik and Value Jet. 

 I was paying for 2 Adults and 2 kids (6 and almost 2) 

Thankfully Arik at the time was doing a Promo so I booked my ticket within their Promo time which saved me about 20% on ticket prices. 

Hotel: 

What we packed:

We packed a list of things that I have put together in a pdf for you whenever you need to travel. Jos was a bit cold when we went and packed for the weather. 

What we spent Vs Budget:

Budget: 

Total: N622,643

Actual: 

Total: N604,143

What is stopping you from taking your kids on trips? 

What is the journey to making your first one million as a stay-at-home mum? Is it possible?  

Watch how I made my first million and I hope it inspires you