Homeschooling in South Africa 2026: the BELA Act and how to register
Thinking about homeschooling in South Africa? What the law says after the BELA Act, how registration and assessments work, curriculum choices and a realistic daily routine.
By the Asifunde Nathi team · 6 min read
More and more South African families are choosing to educate their children at home, for reasons ranging from school fees and long commutes to a child's special needs, faith, or simply wanting a more flexible, personal education. If you are considering it, you probably have lots of questions: Is it legal? Do I need to register? What curriculum should I use? How do I keep my child's home language strong?
This guide gives you a clear starting point. It is not legal advice, and rules can change, so always confirm the details with your provincial education department.
In this article
Is homeschooling legal in South Africa?
Yes. Home education has been recognised in Section 51 of the South African Schools Act since 1996. The rules were updated by the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act, which the Department of Basic Education says commenced on 24 December 2024.
The department also said it was finalising regulations to support the Act, with draft regulations expected for public comment in 2025 and final regulations expected to take effect from the 2026 school year. Because the practical details depend on those regulations and on how each province applies them, check the current position with your provincial department before you start.
Who needs to register?
Schooling is compulsory in South Africa for children of compulsory school age, and the BELA Act makes Grade R compulsory as well. Under Section 51, a parent who wants to educate a child of compulsory school age at home must apply to the Head of Department of their provincial education department to register the child for home education.
Typically, an application includes documents such as:
- the child's birth certificate and the parent's ID,
- proof of residence,
- the child's most recent school report (if they attended school),
- an outline of your educational programme: subjects, timetable and goals,
- your plan for assessment.
Requirements and forms differ between provinces, so ask your provincial department for its current home education application.
Assessments and record-keeping
As explained by the homeschooling resource site SA Homeschoolers, the amended Section 51 requires parents to arrange for a competent assessor to assess the learner at the end of each phase:
- Foundation Phase (end of Grade 3)
- Intermediate Phase (end of Grade 6)
- Senior Phase (end of Grade 9)
This continues until the learner turns 15 or completes Grade 9, whichever comes first. The assessor's report must be submitted to the Head of Department at the end of each phase, and the education must be of a standard not inferior to the National Curriculum Statement.
Even beyond formal assessments, keep good records throughout the year:
- a portfolio of your child's work,
- a record of what was covered and when,
- notes on progress and any challenges,
- samples of reading, writing and maths at different times of year.
If a registration is refused or cancelled, parents can appeal to the provincial MEC.
Choosing a curriculum
CAPS
The Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) is the curriculum used in South African public schools. Following CAPS makes it easier to show that your programme meets national standards, and to move your child back into a school later if you need to.
Other curricula
Some families use international or independent curricula. If you choose one, be ready to explain how it meets a standard not inferior to the National Curriculum Statement.
Online schools versus homeschooling
Online schools, where a provider delivers lessons and assessments, are popular in South Africa. Ask any provider whether learners are registered as home education learners and who is responsible for registration and assessment.
A realistic homeschool routine for young children
For children in the Foundation Phase (Grades R to 3), formal learning does not need to fill a school day. Short, focused sessions work best.
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 08:30 | Morning circle: greeting, calendar, weather, a song in the home language |
| 09:00 | Literacy: reading, phonics and writing (30–40 minutes) |
| 09:45 | Outdoor play and snack |
| 10:15 | Numeracy: counting, number games, money (30 minutes) |
| 11:00 | Life skills, art, music or a nature walk |
| 12:00 | Lunch, then free play and a story |
Learning also happens through everyday life: cooking teaches measuring, shopping teaches money, gardening teaches science. See our guide to teaching children about money with rands and cents.
Keep the home language strong
One advantage of homeschooling is that you choose the language of learning. Research and the Department of Basic Education's own Mother Tongue-based Bilingual Education programme support learning in the home language for longer, while adding English step by step. Homeschooling families can:
- teach reading first in the home language,
- use home-language stories and songs every day,
- add English gradually through books, conversation and play,
- use grandparents and relatives as language mentors.
Read more in why children lose their home language.
Look after socialisation and yourself
Homeschooled children need regular time with other children. Join a local homeschool group, sports club, library story hour or faith community. And look after yourself: homeschooling is rewarding but demanding, so build in breaks, share the load with a partner or relative, and connect with other homeschooling parents.
How Asifunde Nathi helps homeschooling families
Asifunde Nathi gives homeschooled children aged 2 to 10 short, playful activities in words, reading, numbers, money, memory and logic in nine South African languages. A 12-week plan suggests one activity a day, and the Parent Centre and monthly report card give you a clear record of what your child practised, which can be useful alongside your own portfolio. Try it free for 7 days.
Questions parents ask
Do I need to be a qualified teacher to homeschool?
No. Parents do not need a teaching qualification to register a child for home education. What matters is that you provide a suitable education and meet the registration and assessment requirements.
Can my child go back to school after homeschooling?
Yes. Keeping good records and following CAPS, or showing how your curriculum compares, makes the move back to school much easier.
What about matric?
Learners in Grades 10 to 12 who are educated at home usually write their final exams through an accredited assessment body. Research the options early, from Grade 9.
What happens if I don't register?
Educating a child of compulsory school age at home without registering does not meet the requirements of the Schools Act. Speak to your provincial department or a homeschool association about your options before you begin.
Sources
This article is general information, not legal advice. Laws and regulations change, so confirm current requirements with your provincial education department.
