Homeschooling entrepreneur sees business expansion with COVID-19

• May 06 2020
• http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/business-observer-corporate-listing/homeschooling-entrepreneur-sees-business-expansion-with-covid-19_191989

Around the world, schools are closed to protect against the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), affecting the education of nearly one billion children. Parents suddenly find themselves working and learning alongside their children, to obviate stunted cognitive development.

While homeschooling is not a new concept for some Jamaicans, many struggled to function when the Government further extended what was initially a temporary suspension of schools. To date, the resumption is set for April 22, 2020.

However, under the unfortunate circumstances, High Flyer Educational Services (HFES) has risen to the challenge, and then some.

Having established HFES in 2018, founder Jameilla Imani Blythe revealed that there has been an increased interest in homeschooling since the COVID-19 outbreak in the country.

“As a Christian, it is important that when God gives you an idea you act on faith. Homeschooling was taboo; it was unpopular in Jamaica. I have had to defend it, but now the world is doing mandatory homeschooling,” Blythe told the Jamaica Observer in an interview.

“People are now seeing it as a viable option. It was a mystery for many but now, having had the opportunity to do it mandatorily, they see that it is possible. We have been getting a lot of calls from people who want to learn about homeschooling and its viability,” she continued.

HFES offers homeschooling (one-on-one, co-op and virtual), in-home tutoring, homework coaching and online tutoring at the early childhood, primary and secondary level, as well as tutoring services for adults who want to acquire their Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination certification, using a flexible schooling method.