This article outlines 10 basic steps on how to register for homeschooling in South Africa.
As the name implies, homeschooling, also known as home education or elective home education (EHE), is the education of school-aged children at home or in a variety of other places other than a school.
It is a form of education in which parents or guardians take primary responsibility for educating their children. According to Wikipedia, in South Africa, the process of registering for homeschooling is governed by the South African Schools Act of 1996 and the National Education Policy Act of 1996. Prior to this time, it had been an illegal act.
That being said, registering for homeschooling in South Africa varies depending on the province in which you reside. Generally, parents who wish to homeschool their children must follow the regulations set forth by their provincial education department.
However, before registering for homeschooling, it is important to understand the legal requirements and responsibilities that come with the decision to educate your child at home.
Homeschooling is a great way to provide your child with the education they need while still allowing them to learn in an environment that works best for them. If you are considering homeschooling in South Africa, there are certain steps you must take to ensure that your child is registered properly. Here are 10 steps to help you register your child for homeschooling in South Africa.
10 STEPS TO REGISTER FOR HOMESCHOOLING IN SOUTH AFRICA
According to the South African Department of Basic Education, here are the 10 steps or ways to register for homeschooling in South Africa.
1. Research the legal requirements for home schooling in South Africa
The South African Schools Act No. 84 of 1996 (S51) legalized home education, and each province has its own set of regulations that must be followed when registering for home schooling. This is to ensure you are on the right track.
2. Inform The Head Of The Nearest Public School
The first step in registering for homeschooling is to inform the head of the nearest public school in writing of your intention to homeschool your child. This must be done at least 60 days before the proposed start date of homeschooling.
In case you are wondering why you should inform the head of the nearest public school before homeschooling your child, it is a legal requirement in South Africa that serves several important purposes, including maintaining accurate records, protecting the child from abuse, neglect, or discrimination, and providing the parents or guardians with information about homeschooling.
Once you have notified the head of the nearest public school, you will need to complete a registration form, which can be obtained from the Department of Basic Education (DBE) or the provincial education department. The registration form must be completed and submitted to the DBE or the provincial education department along with the necessary documents as listed below.
3. Choose a curriculum that meets the educational standards set by the Department of Basic Education (DBE).
This curriculum should include subjects such as mathematics, English, science, and social sciences, as well as any additional subjects that may be required by the DBE or your local provincial education department.
4. Gather the necessary documentation.
This may include:
- A certified copy of the child’s birth certificate
- A certified copy of the parent or guardian’s ID
- A written statement outlining the education plan for the child, including the curriculum to be used, the resources that will be used, and the assessment methods that will be used
- A letter of consent from the child’s doctor, if the child has any special needs
It is also important to note that parents or guardians who wish to homeschool their children must have a minimum of a senior certificate (grade 12) or equivalent qualification.
Once the registration form and all required documents have been submitted, the DBE or the provincial education department will conduct an assessment to determine whether the proposed education plan is in the best interests of the child. Once your application has been reviewed and approved, you will receive a registration certificate for homeschooling, which you must renew annually.
5. Prepare a Portfolio
After getting approval, kindly prepare a portfolio containing information about your child’s progress throughout their homeschooling journey, including assessments, test results, and other evidence of learning activities completed during this time period.
Keep records of your child’s progress. Parents who homeschool their children are required to keep records of their child’s progress and to provide regular reports to the education department.
6. Provide the necessary learning Resources
Ensure that you have adequate resources available to teach your child at home, such as textbooks, workbooks, and other materials related to the chosen curriculum, which can be found online or purchased from bookstores or educational suppliers in South Africa or abroad if necessary.
7. Create a Study Plan
Create a schedule outlining when lessons will be taught each day and how long they will last so that you can keep track of progress made throughout each day’s lesson plan and make adjustments where necessary if needed later on down the line.
8. Set up a workspace at home for your Child
Set up a workspace at home where your child can complete their work comfortably without distractions from outside sources such as television or video games, which can hinder their ability to focus on their studies effectively over time if not managed properly from early on in their homeschooling journey.
9. Keep regular contact with other parents who are also homeschooling their children
Keep regular contact with other parents who are also homeschooling their children so that you can share tips on how best to manage teaching at home effectively while also providing emotional support for one another during this process which can often times be quite challenging but rewarding nonetheless.
10. Stay organized and maintain all the important documents used for the homeschooling registration
Finally, remember to stay organized throughout this process by keeping all important documents related to registration, curriculum selection, assessment results, etc. stored in one place so that they are easy to access whenever needed.
CONCLUSION
In South Africa, homeschooling is considered an alternative to the formal schooling system, and parents are responsible for the education of their children. In other words, homeschooling is a viable option for parents or guardians who want to take primary responsibility for their child’s education.
It is important to note that the decision to homeschool a child is not a permanent one. Parents or guardians can change their minds and enroll their child in a public school at any time. However, if a child is enrolled in a public school after being homeschooled, the child may have to repeat the grade level in order to catch up with the curriculum and standards of the public school.
It is therefore important to understand the legal requirements and responsibilities that come with the decision to homeschool.
As seen in this article, the process of registering for homeschooling in South Africa involves informing the head of the nearest public school, completing a registration form, and submitting it along with the required documents to the DBE or the provincial education department. Parents or guardians must also ensure that their child’s education is equivalent to that provided in a public school and aligned with the National Curriculum Statement, which sets out the minimum standards for learning in South Africa.
This includes regular assessments and evaluations to ensure that the child is making progress and meeting the educational standards set by the DBE or the provincial education department. Parents or guardians must also ensure that their child’s education is aligned with the National Curriculum Statement,
So, if you are considering homeschooling your child, it is best to seek professional advice and guidance on how to create a plan that complies with the regulations of your province and will ensure your child’s education meets the standards of the country.
However, it is recommended that you contact your local education department for more information on the specific requirements and regulations for homeschooling in your province.
Homeschool registration is not such a difficult process, but you might want to consider the advantages and disadvantages of homeschooling before going ahead with registration.
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