Homeschooling in Namibia

Is homeschooling legal in Namibia?

As a parent in Namibia, you have the freedom to choose a homeschool solution for your children, on condition that you apply to the Minister of Education within 10 days of the school year starting.
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Your application may be approved by the Minister if:

• A situation relating to health or disability exists that prevents the learner from attending or fully benefiting from regular school attendance;
• the registration is in the best interest of the learner or
• the education to be received by the learner at home meets the minimum requirements of the curriculum provided in State schools. It is a standard that 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 the minimum requirements are unmet.

Children must begin their education starting the first school day of the year in which a child turns 6 years old until the last school day of the year in which he or she attains the age of 18 years (or until other factors such as completion of secondary education, completion of a specialised education program, or other exemptions are met). (The Basic Education Act 3 of 2020)

How to start homeschooling in Namibia

Give the school your children are attending notice that you will withdraw them. Ensure that you receive a formal report card of the completed grade from the school. This will facilitate the transition to a homeschooling curriculum.
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Prepare for homeschooling by creating the appropriate learning environment for your child and gathering the necessary materials, such as textbooks. Remember to refer to your selected curriculum’s recommended textbook list and the school’s textbook suppliers lists.
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Finally, set up a structure or routine that works for you and your child before you start. It doesn’t have to conform to the standard school day you are used to, but it should offer a suitable framework within which your child can flourish as they work through their curriculum.

How to register for homeschooling in Namibia

You’re not obligated to register with the Minister of Education. Still, it is advisable for you to register with the Homeschool Association of Namibia, the governing body for all homeschoolers (both centres and students).
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If you register on the Ministry of Education’s website, it is essential to note that you register as a private school and not a homeschooler. That means that if the government enforces a specific curriculum, you will be required to follow that curriculum by law.

Homeschooling costs Namibia

The cost of homeschooling in Namibia will depend on the curriculum, platform, student level and the subjects you select. The following factors will also influence the homeschooling costs:

• Selected platform and its fees
• Textbooks
• Exam fees

The costing provided below is for illustrative purposes only. It will vary depending on the number of subjects, the examination venues, and the textbook formats you’ve elected to buy (e.g. digital copy vs printed textbook). 

Primary School homeschooling costs

Annual online homeschooling fees for Cambridge primary stage students range between N$16 112 and N$41 670 per year for three subjects. Textbooks will cost between N$1 852 and N$3 704; at this level, there are no additional examination fees. 

CAPS curriculum textbooks range between N$1 885 and N$2 534; at this level, there are no additional examination fees. 

High School homeschooling costs

Annual online homeschooling fees for lower secondary stage students range between N$35 188 and N$74 080 per year for five subjects. Textbooks will cost between N$7 408 and N$9 260, and there are no additional examination fees for Lower Secondary years 1 and 2. 

Annual online homeschooling fees for IGCSE students range between N$49 541 and N$98 156 per year for six subjects. Textbooks will cost between N$5 556 and N$7 408, and, depending on the examination centre, exam fees range between N$18 520 and N$37 040 collectively.

AS Level homeschooling fees

Annual online homeschooling fees for A Level students range between N$53 245 and N$114 361 per year for five subjects. Textbooks will cost between N$7 408 and N$9 260, and, depending on the examination centre, the subject, and the exam type, exam fees range between N$16 630 and N$33 260 collectively.