Home schooling

Homeschooling gained momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic. Its popularity remains and has since become an alternative form of education to the traditional.

To homeschool is to educate children at home instead of sending them to school. Homeschooling is usually on a permanent or long-term basis. It is a programme that is alternative to attending public or independent schools. 

Children who are homeschooled are taught by homeschoolers. Home schoolers are, in most cases, parents or guardians.

Can I Homeschool My Child In South Africa?

Yes, you can home school your child in South Africa. However, you will need to apply to your Provincial Head of Education for your child to be registered. Here are the contact details for the Provincial Education Department offices:

How Do I Apply For Homeschooling?

To apply to register your child for homeschooling, download the application form for your province. Fill in the form and attach the following documents:

  • A certified copy of your ID/s
  • For non-South Africans, certified copies of passport/study permit/work permit or asylum document are required
  • Last copy of a school report if the child was in school before, if not, attach the child’s immunisation card
  • Weekly timetable 
  • Breakdown of terms per year 
  • Learning programme
  • Certified copy of the child’s birth certificate

What Lessons Do I Offer My Child During Homeschooling?

The lessons that you offer your child must fall within the following South African education phases based on CAPS (Curriculum Assessment Policy Statement):

  • Foundation Phase (Grades 1 – 3)
  • Intermediate Phase  (Grades 4 – 6)
  • Senior Phase (Grades 7 – 9)

Foundation Phase (Grades 1 – 3)

Here are the subjects in this phase:

  • Home Languages
      • Afrikaans
      • English
      • isiNdebele
      • isiXhosa
      • IsiZulu
      • Sepedi
      • Sesotho
      • Setswana
      • Siswati
      • Tshivenda
      • Xitsonga
  • First Additional Language
      • Afrikaans
      • English
      • isiNdebele
      • isiXhosa
      • IsiZulu
      • Sepedi
      • Sesotho
      • Setswana
      • Siswati
      • Tshivenda
      • Xitsonga
  • Mathematics 
  • Mathematics Grade R
  • Life Skills

Intermediate Phase  (Grades 4 – 6)

Here are the subjects in this phase:

  • Home Language
      • Afrikaans
      • English
      • isiNdebele
      • isiXhosa
      • IsiZulu
      • Sepedi
      • Sesotho
      • Setswana
      • Siswati
      • Tshivenda
      • Xitsonga
  • First Additional Language
      • Afrikaans
      • English
      • isiNdebele
      • isiXhosa
      • IsiZulu
      • Sepedi
      • Sesotho
      • Setswana
      • Siswati
      • Tshivenda
      • Xitsonga
  • Second Additional Language
      • Afrikaans
      • English
      • French 
      • German 
      • isiNdebele
      • isiXhosa
      • IsiZulu
      • Mandarin 
      • Sepedi
      • Serbian 
      • Sesotho
      • Setswana
      • Siswati
      • Tshivenda
      • Xitsonga
  • Non-languages in English
    • Life Skills
    • Mathematics
    • Natural Science and Technology
    • Social Sciences
  • Non-Languages in Afrikaans 
    • Life Skills
    • Mathematics
    • Natural Science and Technology
    • Social Sciences

Senior Phase (Grades 7 – 9)

Here are the subjects in this phase:

  • Home Languages
      • Afrikaans
      • English
      • isiNdebele
      • isiXhosa
      • IsiZulu
      • Sepedi
      • Serbian 
      • Sesotho
      • Setswana
      • Siswati
      • Tshivenda
      • Xitsonga
  • First Additional Language
      • Afrikaans
      • English
      • isiNdebele
      • isiXhosa
      • IsiZulu
      • Sepedi
      • Sesotho
      • Setswana
      • Siswati
      • Tshivenda
      • Xitsonga
  • Second Additional Language
      • Afrikaans
      • English
      • French 
      • German 
      • isiNdebele
      • isiXhosa
      • IsiZulu
      • Mandarin 
      • Sepedi
      • Serbian 
      • Sesotho
      • Setswana
      • Siswati
      • Tshivenda
      • Xitsonga
  • Non-Languages in Afrikaans
      • Ekonomiese en bestuurswetenskaap (Economics Management and Science)
      • Lewensorientering (Life Orientation)
      • Natuurwetenskappe (Natural Science)
      • Skeppende kunste (Creative Arts)
      • Sosialewetenskappe (Social Science)
      • Tegnologie (Technology)
      • Wiskunde (Mathematics)
  • Non-Languages in English
    • Creative Arts
    • Economics Management and Science 
    • Life Orientation
    • Mathematics
    • Natural Science
    • Social Science
    • Technology

How Long Does It Take To Register For Homeschooling In South Africa?

It takes up to 30 days for your application to be processed. Remember that for the process to be expedited, you must apply to the Provincial Education Head for your province.

What Records Do I Need To Keep For My Child Homeschooling?

Records are an important part of your child’s progress in school. Here are the records that you will need to keep for your child’s homeschooling:

  • Attendance register
  • Portfolio of the child’s work
  • Records of the child’s progress
  • Record of educational support given 
  • Evidence of the continuous assessment of the child’s work
  • Evidence of the assessment and or examination at the end of each year
  • Evidence at the end of Grades 3,6 and 9, that shows whether your child has achieved the outcomes for these Grades

How Much Is Homeschooling In South Africa?

The cost of homeschooling is nowhere near the (R 60 000 to R 160 000) and (R 30 000 to R 60 000) charged by private schools and public schools respectively. Like distance learning, here are the savings that you can make by homeschooling:

  • No transport costs
  • No lunch boxes
  • No uniforms
  • No school fees
  • No costs associated with sports 

What Is The Difference Between Online School And Home School?

The following are some differences between online school and home school:

ONLINE SCHOOLHOME SCHOOL
  • Tutors are usually qualified 
  • Parents serve as teachers
  • Follow the required curriculum
  • Social activities organised by parents
  • Social activities included in the curriculum
  • Not strict on following the curriculum
  • Neutral on faith issues
  • Faith-based learning can be incorporated
  • Learning is scheduled
  • Learning is flexible

What Is The Best Online School In South Africa?

Distance learning is a form of online learning. This is because distance learning uses online tools to reach out to students. Here are some of the best online schools in South Africa.  

What Are Best Online Courses?

Here are some of the best online courses that Matric College offers:

Matric Courses

ICB Courses

ICB Courses were designed by the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers. The ICB is an Independent external Examination body. Are career-oriented in the following disciplines:

ICB Financial Accounting Courses

ICB Business Management Courses

ICB Office Administration Courses

NATED Courses

NATED Courses are also known as National Qualifications. The courses have a practical and theretical component:

Business Management Courses

Marketing Management Courses

Management Assistant Courses

Human Resources Management Courses

Financial Management Courses

Educare Courses

Legal Secretary Courses

Short Courses

Short Courses equip you with skills that can help you to start your own business or look for employment opportunities. Here are the Short Courses that Matric College offers:

Child Day Care Courses

Crèche Management Courses 

Child Psychology Courses 

First Aid Course

Beauty Therapy

Salon Management 

Nail Care

Make-Up Application 

Facial Skincare

Guest House Management Courses

Tourism Management Courses 

Events Planning Courses

Wedding Planning Courses  

Study any of our distance learning courses and get the skills that you require to become successful in the career you choose. Start your studies at Matric College today!

Author: Collin Wilbesi
Editor: Sive Ncanywa
Date: August 15, 2022