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Homeschooling is legal in Namibia under the Basic Education Act 3 of 2020. Parents can apply to the Minister of Education for registration to homeschool their children. Education is compulsory from age 6 to 18. Namibia has strong ties to South Africa, which makes the CAPS curriculum a particularly relevant option alongside Cambridge* and Edexcel. The Homeschool Association of Namibia (HAN) supports families through the registration process. This guide covers the legal framework, how to register, curriculum options and costs.
Yes. The Basic Education Act 3 of 2020 (commenced October 2023) provides the legal framework for homeschooling in Namibia. The Act defines homeschooling as "educational instruction by the parent or caregiver or other privately appointed tutors or service providers to teach a learner a legally approved academic curriculum at home."
Education is compulsory from the first school day of the year in which a child turns 6 until the last school day of the year in which they turn 18 (or until secondary education is completed).
Parents must apply to the Minister of Education for homeschool registration no later than 10 school days after the start of the school year or the day the child turns 6. The Minister may approve the application if satisfied that:
A health or disability situation prevents the child from attending or benefiting from regular school attendance; or the registration is in the best interest of the child; or the education to be received meets the minimum requirements of the curriculum provided in state schools and is not inferior to the standard of education offered at state schools.
The Executive Director may designate monitoring and evaluation, and the Minister may withdraw registration if minimum requirements are not met.
There is an important practical distinction. The Ministry of Education's registration form registers families as a private school, not specifically as a homeschool. This means that if the government enforces curriculum requirements, families registered through the Ministry form would be bound by those requirements. The Homeschool Association of Namibia (HAN) provides an alternative registration pathway and recommends that families register through the association, which offers more protection for curriculum choice.
Homeschool Association of Namibia (HAN). HAN is the governing body for homeschooling families and centres in Namibia. It supports families through the registration process, provides community connection and guidance on curriculum choice. The Facebook group "Homeschooling / Tuisskool Windhoek, Namibia" connects families primarily from Windhoek and surrounding areas. HAN is the recommended first point of contact for families considering homeschooling in Namibia.
HAN can guide you through the registration process and help you understand your options. They recommend registering through the association rather than directly with the Ministry of Education.
Namibia does not yet have specific curriculum requirements for homeschoolers at the lower grades. You can follow the Namibian national curriculum (leading to NSSCO), Cambridge* International GCSEs and A-Levels, Pearson Edexcel, CAPS (South African curriculum), or the US K-12 programme. If you enrol with CambriLearn, the school provides the curriculum, teaching, materials and assessment.
Notify the school in writing and collect your child's formal report card for the completed grade. This documentation is important for curriculum transition and future school re-entry.
Submit your application to the Minister of Education within 10 school days of the start of the school year. HAN can assist with the application process and advise on which registration pathway is appropriate for your situation.
A quiet workspace and a reliable internet connection if using an online provider. Windhoek has good broadband coverage. Internet connectivity in smaller towns and rural areas varies, but satellite and mobile data options are improving. CambriLearn's live lessons are timetabled with recorded sessions available for catch-up.
Namibian families can choose from the national curriculum and several international options. The CAPS curriculum is particularly relevant given Namibia's proximity to and strong ties with South Africa.
| Curriculum | Qualification | Namibian University Admission | International Recognition | Via CambriLearn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Namibian National | NSSCO (Grade 11), NSSCAS (Grade 12) | Direct admission to UNAM and local institutions | SADC region | No |
| CAPS | NSC matric | Accepted by UNAM and Namibian institutions | South Africa, SADC | Yes, billed in ZAR |
| Cambridge Int.* | Int. GCSE, AS, A-Level | Accepted by UNAM and international universities | 160+ countries | Yes, private candidate exams |
| Pearson Edexcel | Int. GCSE, Int. A-Level | Accepted by Namibian and international universities | 80+ countries | Yes, accredited centre |
| US K-12 | US High School Diploma | Accepted with credential evaluation | US, NCAA approved | Yes, Cognia accredited |
CAPS is a natural fit for Namibian families. Many Namibian families have cross-border ties with South Africa. The CAPS curriculum leads to the NSC matric, which is accepted by the University of Namibia (UNAM) and by all South African universities. CambriLearn's CAPS and KABV programmes are billed in South African Rand, which offers a cost advantage given the NAD/ZAR parity (the Namibian Dollar is pegged 1:1 to the South African Rand).
The national NSSCO and NSSCAS. Students who attend Namibian government schools sit the Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Ordinary (NSSCO) at the end of Grade 11. Students who continue to Grade 12 can sit the NSSCAS (Higher Level). Homeschooled students following the national curriculum would need to arrange to sit these exams through registered centres.
