Parents to hand in petitions against proposed changes to home schooling (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

St Albans parents to air their views to MP over home education changes

11:39am Monday 23rd November 2009 in News By Manisha Mistry

PARENTS protesting against government proposals to impose strict rules which will regulate home education are preparing to hand in petitions to parliament opposing the plans.

St Albans residents are set to join hundreds of others across the country in a record breaking demonstration next week.

It is believed the most petitions to be handed to the House of Commons currently stands at 43, however, this could be one of the biggest presentations of parliamentary petitions.

Those who home school are fighting for the rights of families to be free to educate their children without government interference.

If the plans are given the go-ahead parents will be forced to compile an action plan together with a list of goals which will be constantly under close watch.

The Review spoke to Mike and Carolyn Crawshaw last month about their concerns over the proposed changes.

Mother-of-five Carolyn, of Woodstock Road North, told how she worries if too much power is held by government inspectors it could undermine the way she educates her children – an arrangement which has run smoothly for the couple over the last 15 years.

The couple, along with other parents from St Albans, will travel to the House of Commons on Thursday, December 3 where they will meet their MP Anne Main.

Do you home educate your children? What do you think about the proposed changes? Tell us below.