Requirements And Guidelines For Homeschooling In South Africa

Home schooling is a programme of education thatschooling;submit the application form with a copy
a parent may provide to his or her child at home.of the learner's birth certificate;supply
It is prescribed that a parent of a learner who isdocumentation that outlines the unit standards the
of compulsory school-going age should apply toparent will facilitate (teach).
the Head of the Department of Education of theThe application forms can be obtained from any
province involved to register the learner forprovincial Department of Education.
receiving education at home. This is in fact notThe majority of homeschoolers in South Africa
the case. The Constitution of South Africa allowshave elected not to register with the Department
for homeschooling without registering with theof Education but choose instead to register with a
Education Department. There are steps in place tohomeschooling defensor organisation that protects
try and amend this, but no new laws have beentheir constitutional rights.
promulgated as yet. The following are compulsoryThere are a number of curricula available for
phases of education:purchase in South Africa, covering a variety of
The foundation phase (grades 1 - 3)homeschooling methods. Some families choose
The intermediate phase (grades 4 - 6)the unschooling or eclectic approach.
The senior phase (grades 7 - 9)Whichever method is decided upon by the
A parent of a learner who is no longer ofhomeschooling family, the important aspects are
compulsory school-going age or grade need notthat the child or children get a one-on-one
apply for registration for home schooling.interaction with their educator/parent in a loving,
It is 'prescribed' by the Education Department thatsafe and secure environment and the child is
after the learner has been registered for homeallowed and in fact encouraged to develop at his
schooling, the parent must do the following:or her own pace.
Keep a record of attendance.Contrary to popular belief amongst professional
Keep a portfolio of the learner's work.educators in South Africa, a lack of socialisation is
Maintain up-to-date records of the learner'srarely a factor when considering homeschooling
progress.your children as they have constant interaction
Keep a portfolio of the educational support givenwith the family, and very often close support
to the learner.groups are formed within communities enabling
Keep evidence of the continuous assessment ofthe child or children to interact with individuals of all
the learner's work.ages, thus developing their own social skills whilst
Keep evidence of the assessment and orallowing them to actually enjoy their learning
examinations at the end of each year.experience."
Keep evidence at the end of Grades 3, 6 and 9This entry can be edited so if there is anything
that shows whether the learner has achieved thethat you would like to add on homeschooling in
outcomes for these grades.South Africa please pop along to the links above
Steps to followand add your bit. They do make a point of saying
It is suggested by the Department of Educationhat absolutely no links to sites or advertising is
that a parent must:apply to the head of theallowed, as it is a page providing factual
Department of Education of the province whereinformation.
they live to register a child (learner) for home