Is homeschooling legal in South Africa?
Homeschooling is legal in South Africa, and as a parent, whether a South African national or visiting expatriate, you are able to choose a curriculum that suits your child’s educational needs, provided it meets the minimum requirements outlined in the SA Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS).
How to start homeschooling in South Africa
Many South African parents start their homeschooling journey by registering with the Pestalozzi Trust. The Pestalozzi trust is a non-profit organisation that supports parents and provides legal protection when parents face difficulties with local authorities regarding homeschooling.
Once registered, give the school your children are currently attending notice. Ensure that you receive a formal report card of the completed grade from the school. This will facilitate the transition to a homeschooling curriculum.
Prepare for homeschooling by creating the appropriate learning environment for your child and gather the necessary materials such as textbooks. Remember to refer to your selected curriculum’s recommended textbook list and school’s textbook suppliers lists.
Finally, ensure that you set up a structure or routine that works for you and your child before you start. It doesn’t have to conform to the standard school day which you are used to, but it should offer a suitable framework within which your child can flourish as they work through their curriculum.
How to register for homeschooling in South Africa
In keeping with the South African School Act, the Department of Education expects all homeschooled children to be registered with their Provincial Education Department. Website links and relevant information can be found on the department of education's site.
Homeschooling Cost in South Africa
The cost of homeschooling will depend on the curriculum, platform, student level and the subjects you select.
The homeschooling costs for the CAPS and Cambridge Curriculum will be influenced by the following factors:
- Selected platform and its fees
- Textbooks
- Exam fees
The costing provided below is for illustrative purposes only, and will vary depending on the number of subjects, the examination venues, and the textbook formats you’ve elected to buy (eg. digital copy vs. printed textbook).
Primary School homeschooling costs
Annual online homeschooling fees for Cambridge primary stage students range between R10 700 and R30 581 per year for three subjects. Textbooks will cost between R1 700 and R3 400 and at this level there are no additional examination fees.
Annual online homeschooling fees for CAPS primary students range between R8 520 and R23 940 for Grades 1-6 and ranges between R28 152 and R36 000 for Grade 7. The increase in school fees from Grade 6 to Grade 7 is due to students taking 9 subjects at this level.
CAPS curriculum textbooks costs range between R1 885 and R2 534, and at this level there are no additional examination fees.
High School homeschooling costs
Annual online homeschooling fees for lower secondary stage students range between R38 330 and R60 565 per year for six subjects. Textbooks will cost between R6 600 and R8 300 and there are no additional examination fees for Lower Secondary years 1 and 2.
Annual online homeschooling fees for IGCSE students range between R41 350 and R82 600 per year for six subjects. Textbooks will cost between R5 000 and R6 650 and, depending on the examination centre, exam fees range between R16 629-R33 260 collectively.
Annual online homeschooling fees for CAPS high school students range between R28 152 and R36 800 per year. Textbooks will cost between R2 415 and R2 890 and at this level there are no additional examination fees.
AS Level homeschooling fees
Annual online homeschooling fees for A Level students range between R29 135 and R62 520 per year for four subjects. Textbooks will cost between R6 650 and R8 315 and, depending on the examination centre, the subject, and the exam type, exam fees range between R16 630-R33 260 collectively.
Homeschooling Curriculums South Africa
The three most popular homeschooling curriculums parents can choose from in South Africa are:
- CAPS - Also known as a National Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement. The CAPS curriculum follows a structured schedule aligned with the South African school year.
- International British Curriculum/Cambridge Curriculum - A globally recognised system of learning and assessment that allows for a seamless integration with national curricula worldwide. It offers more flexibility for students to work at their own pace and students are able to write exams in exam centres anywhere in the world.
- IEB - Is also a South African-based curriculum and provides the same structure as CAPS and the terms are aligned with the South African school year.
FAQs
CambriLearn is a SACAI registered online school in South Africa. We are also internationally accredited by Cognia and Pearson Edexcel.
Which curriculum is best for homeschooling in South Africa? ›
CAPS Curriculum online homeSchool
Saving Grace Education CAPS is a South African accredited online homeschool that adheres to the national curriculum. Students are able to study at their own pace under the guidance of qualified teachers.
Is CambriLearn the same as Cambridge? ›
CambriLearn is accredited by Pearson Edexcel and we are now able to offer our students the option of doing Cambridge or Edexcel A-Levels. It is important for students to understand the differences between these curricula, to help them make informed choices on which one to pursue.
What is the best online school in South Africa? ›
Cambridge Home School Online is deemed one of the best online schools in South Africa. Our MA/MSc/PhD qualified subject specialist teachers are committed to helping students secure top grades.
Do universities accept homeschooled students in South Africa? ›
Recently a growing number of homeschooled students have been accepted to South African universities and because they are self-motivated and disciplined students, they have coped well with the demands of campus life. Read our Homeschool Success Stories.
Is Cambridge curriculum accepted in South Africa? ›
Cambridge IGCSE, AS Level, and A Levels are recognised locally by the South African Matriculation Board for entrance into South African Universities. In order to comply with the requirements for Matric Exemption, certain subject groupings are required.
Where do homeschoolers take exams in South Africa? ›
At home the child work through the study material on their own (or with the help of a parent or tutor) , complete assignment and write online tests. The exams are written at the curriculum provider's examination centre.
How much does homeschooling cost in SA? ›
What does home schooling cost? The cost of homeschooling can be anything from R300 to R30 000 per month, depending on whether a formal curriculum is used or not, what type of curriculum is used and what you spend on extra-curricular activities. There are also many free resources available on the internet.
What is the most powerful curriculum in South Africa? ›
CAPS, or the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement, is the curriculum framework developed by the DBE and is the most widely used curriculum in public schools across South Africa. CAPS is also used by alternative education providers such as Impaq.
Is Cambridge curriculum worth it? ›
Cambridge international education programmes have a proven reputation for being an excellent preparation for university, employment and life. 3. Cambridge International Examinations is a part of the University of Cambridge and a not-for-profit organisation.
IEB schools usually follow a similar range of subjects to CAPS schools, with some flexibility and variation in subject offerings in each institution. As an international system, the Cambridge curriculum offers a broader variety of subjects, allowing schools and learners to customise their educational experience.
What is special about Cambridge curriculum? ›
The Cambridge international curriculum, known for its academic standards and focus on nurturing critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, is designed to challenge students intellectually. Thereby, equipping students with the necessary skills to thrive in higher education and beyond.
How to homeschool in South Africa? ›
Do you prefer to teach your child at home? If so, apply to the head of your Provincial Education Department to register your child for Home Education. The lesson you offer your child must fall within the scope of the following compulsory phases of education: foundation phase (grades 1-3)
How to apply for online schooling in South Africa? ›
Apply electronically, using the applicable application form, to the head of your Provincial Education Department and attach the following documents with you:
- parent/s certified ID copy.
- In case of foreign nationals certified copies of passport /study permit/work permit/Asylum document is required.
If you want to answer the call to help educate future generations you can start your journey with an online bachelor of education course. We will take an in-depth look at what you need to become a teacher in South Africa and the different paths you can take to qualify.
How do I know if a course is accredited in South Africa? ›
If you want to check on a provider accredited by QCTO or a SETA (Sector Education and Training Authority) go to the website of the South African Qualifications Authority at www.saqa.org.za and click on the links with the various SETAs where you can access lists of accredited providers.
Which South African colleges are internationally Recognised? ›
- University of Cape Town. South Africa|Cape Town. ...
- University of Witwatersrand. South Africa|Johannesburg. ...
- Stellenbosch University. South Africa|Stellenbosch. ...
- University of Kwazulu Natal. South Africa|Durban. ...
- University of Johannesburg. ...
- University of Pretoria. ...
- North West University - South Africa. ...
- University of the Western Cape.
The Cambridge AS Levels is equivalent to the South African Grade 12. AS Levels follow IGCSE and students are usually between 16 - 19 years of age when they undertake AS Level subjects. It normally takes 18 months to 2 years to complete.
Is Cambridge recognised internationally? ›
Cambridge qualifications are accepted and valued by leading universities and employers worldwide.
