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Committee recommends voluntary home education register
17 December 2009
A group of MPs have suggested that the government revises its plans for a compulsory home education register.
The Commons Schools Select Committee has recommended that the register be voluntary, with parents responsible for the education of their children having the choice of whether to sign up with the local council.
Chairman of the committee Barry Sheerman MP said: "If a balance is to be struck between parental rights and guaranteeing that all children have access to a good education, local authorities must work positively and cooperatively with home educating families."
However, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Department of Children, Schools and families Diana Johnson MP responded by saying that the compulsory element of the register forms an integral part of the scheme.
She added that without mandatory registration the government will be unable to gather all the information it needs to make accurate assessments of the sector.
Ms Johnson previously served as Parliamentary Private Secretary to Stephen Timms MP and Assistant Whip in the government.