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Homeschooling has been legal in South Africa since 1996 under the South African Schools Act. The BELA Act, signed into law in September 2024, updated the registration requirements but did not change the legal status of home education. An estimated 300,000 children are currently homeschooled across the country. This guide covers the legal requirements, registration process, curriculum options and costs.
Yes. Home education has been legal since the South African Schools Act (SASA) of 1996. Parents — whether South African nationals or foreign residents — can choose to educate their children at home, provided the curriculum meets minimum standards equivalent to the national Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS).
The Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act was signed into law by President Ramaphosa on 13 September 2024. It amends SASA but does not change the legal status of homeschooling. The key changes affecting homeschooling families are:
Compulsory schooling in South Africa previously started at Grade 1 (age 7). Under the BELA Act, Grade R (ages 5–6) is included in compulsory schooling. Homeschooling families need to register their child from Grade R onward. CambriLearn offers Grade R as part of its CAPS and Cambridge curriculum pathways.
Parents must apply to register their child for home education with the Head of their Provincial Education Department. The application must be submitted within 30 days of the BELA Act's publication in the Government Gazette. If the department does not respond within 60 days, the registration is deemed successful.
The curriculum must meet minimum standards equivalent to CAPS. End-of-phase assessments (at the end of Grades 3, 6 and 9) must be conducted by a qualified assessor. Annual assessment submissions to the Provincial Education Department are required. These provisions are not new — they were already part of the Home Education Policy of 2018.
Earlier drafts of the BELA Act included provisions for home visits. The final version removed this requirement. The Head of Department may request a pre-registration meeting with parents, which can take place in a public setting — not in the family's home.
Constitutional challenge pending. The Pestalozzi Trust, a legal defence fund for home and alternative education, has filed a constitutional court application arguing that the legislative process was rushed and lacked meaningful public participation. The outcome may affect how the BELA Act's homeschooling provisions are implemented. As of mid-2025, regulations for clauses 4 and 5 (dealing with school admissions and language policy, not homeschooling directly) were still being drafted.
Pestalozzi Trust. Many homeschooling families in South Africa register with the Pestalozzi Trust, a non-profit that provides legal support and advocacy for home educators. Membership is not a legal requirement, but it offers protection if parents face difficulties with provincial education authorities.
Select a curriculum that meets minimum standards equivalent to CAPS. You can choose from South African curricula (CAPS, IEB, KABV) or international curricula (Cambridge IGCSE and A-Levels, Pearson Edexcel, US K-12). If you enrol with an online school like CambriLearn, the school provides the curriculum, teaching, materials and assessment.
Submit a home education application to the Head of your Provincial Education Department. You'll need your ID, your child's birth certificate, a description of the curriculum you'll follow, a weekly timetable, and a motivation letter explaining your reasons for homeschooling. Provincial department contact details are on the Department of Basic Education website.
Under the BELA Act, if the department does not respond within 60 days of your application, the registration is deemed successful. You do not need to wait for explicit approval before starting.
If your child is currently enrolled in a school, notify the school in writing. Request a formal report card for the completed grade — you'll need this for the transition. Give the school reasonable notice.
If you're using an online school, you need a computer or tablet with reliable internet access. The school handles the timetable, lessons and materials. If you're teaching independently, you'll need to source textbooks (check your curriculum's recommended reading list), set up a workspace, and establish a daily routine.
Registration is contested. More than 95% of homeschooling parents in South Africa do not register with the Department of Education, according to SAHomeschoolers.org. Officials have historically imposed requirements beyond what the law mandates. The Pestalozzi Trust advises families to make informed decisions based on the actual text of the law, not on departmental interpretations. If you choose to register, follow the process above. If you choose not to, understand the legal risks and seek legal counsel.
South African homeschoolers can choose from national or international curricula. Each leads to a different qualification with different university admission pathways.
| Curriculum | Qualification | Exam Body | SA University Admission | International Recognition | Via CambriLearn |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAPS | NSC matric | SACAI or IEB | Direct — no exemption needed | UK, Australia, Canada (case by case) | Yes — billed in ZAR |
| IEB | NSC matric | IEB | Direct — no exemption needed | Preferred by competitive SA universities | Yes — billed in ZAR |
| KABV | NSC matric (Afrikaans) | SACAI | Direct — no exemption needed | Same as CAPS | Yes — billed in ZAR |
| Cambridge Int. | IGCSE, AS, A-Level | Cambridge Assessment | Via USAf exemption certificate | 160+ countries | Yes — private candidate exams |
| Pearson Edexcel | Int. GCSE, Int. A-Level | Pearson | Via USAf exemption certificate | 80+ countries | Yes — accredited centre |
| US K-12 | US High School Diploma | Cognia | Via USAf exemption certificate | US, NCAA approved | Yes — Cognia accredited |
What is USAf exemption? A certificate issued by Universities South Africa (USAf) that confirms a student's international qualifications are equivalent to a South African NSC with bachelor's pass. Students following Cambridge, Edexcel or US curricula need this certificate to apply for degree programmes at South African universities. The certificate requires specific subject combinations completed within two examination sessions. CambriLearn's academic advisors help families plan the correct subject mix from the start.
For a full comparison of how each pathway leads to university admission locally and internationally, see the university pathways guide.
