Description

Home schooling is a programme of education that a parent may provide to his or her child at home.

A parent of a learner who is of compulsory school-going age must apply to the Head of the Department of Education of the province involved to register the learner for receiving education at home. The following are compulsory phases of education:

• The foundation phase (grades 1 - 3)
• The intermediate phase (grades 4 - 6)
• The senior phase (grades 7 - 9)
• A parent of a learner who is no longer of compulsory school-going age or grade need not apply for registration for home schooling.
• After the learner has been registered for home schooling, the parent must do the following:
• Keep a record of attendance.
• Keep a portfolio of the learner's work.
• Maintain up-to-date records of the learner's progress.
• Keep a portfolio of the educational support given to the learner.
• Keep evidence of the continuous assessment of the learner's work.
• Keep evidence of the assessment and or examinations at the end of each year.
• Keep evidence at the end of Grades 3, 6 and 9 that shows whether the learner has achieved the outcomes for these grades.

For more information, go to Department of Education.

Steps to follow

A parent must:

• apply to the head of the Department of Education of the province where they live to register a child (learner) for home schooling;
• submit the application form with a copy of the learner’s birth certificate;
• supply documentation that outlines the unit standards the parent will facilitate (teach).

Legal framework

South African Schools Act, 1996 (Act 84 of 1996)

Service standard

It may take 30 days.

Cost

The service is free.

Forms to complete

The application forms can be obtained from any provincial Department of Education.

Contact details