A Phenomenological Study of Homeschooling: Understanding the Experiences and Narratives of Parents

The primary aim of this study was to explore the experiences of parents who have previously or are presently homeschooling their children who are studying at Jesus V. Ayala Elementary School, Binugao District, Davao City Division. The study focused on understanding the specific experiences/challenges they face, the coping strategies they employ to address these challenges, and the valuable insights they gain that can be shared to the academe. This study employed a qualitative research design with a phenomenological methodology provided a robust framework for capturing the depth and nuances of these experiences. Participants were selected purposively from parents with children enrolled at Jesus V. Ayala Elementary School, ensuring a diverse range of perspectives. Their voluntary participation ensured that the study could authentically explore and document the multifaceted dynamics of homeschooling education. The challenges were: (1) difficulty in time management (b) difficulty in understanding learning content/material, and (c) Lack of specialized resources. On the coping strategies of parents were (a) proper planning, (b) seek support/advice, (c) utilizing online educational tools. The educational management insights drawn from the findings of the study were (a) create a flexible schedule (b) focus on your child’s interest, and (c) utilizing a variety of resources. The findings of this study seem to lead to the conclusion to underscore the need to provide resources and professional development opportunities to equip educators with strategies for supporting homeschooling families, including utilization of online educational tools and parents encourage structured planning and flexibility in homeschooling approaches, leveraging diverse resources and adapting to children's evolving interests to optimize learning experiences.