Home education or home-schooling, it is a legally recognised alternative to formal education in South Africa. Section 51 of the South African Schools Act states that parents have the option to register their child with the Head of Department of a Provincial Education Department should they wish to educate their child at home. Please click HERE to downlad your province's application  

 

  • Parents should apply to the Provincial Education Department (PED) for the registration of a home education learner and comply with any reasonable conditions set by the department.
  • Parents need to keep a record of attendance, a suitable timetable, and a portfolio of evidence (containing the activities and assessments) for every learner. Portfolios must be kept for three (3) years as proof of the learner’s progress.
  • Parents must provide the PED with feedback on the learner’s progress and whether they have reached the required outcomes at the end of every phase (Grade 3, 6, and 9). Assessments must be done by competent assessors (qualified educators registered with the South African Council for Educators).
  • Parents can follow any curriculum that meets the minimum outcomes as set out in the national curriculum.
  • The parent may include tutorial or other educational support secured in respect of specific areas of the curriculum. The parents, however, remains responsible for the education of their child.
  • Home education only applies to the compulsory schooling phase (from Grade 1 to Grade 9 or age 15). Learners in the FET Phase (Grade 10 – 12) must be registered with an assessment board through an independent service provider.

  • Assessment bodies do not register independent candidates. FET learners must register with a curriculum provider, who is registered with an assessment body in Grade 10 – 12.