Homeschooling in South Africa

Is homeschooling legal in South Africa?

Homeschooling is legal in South Africa, and as a parent, whether a South African national or visiting expatriate, you are able to choose a curriculum that suits your child’s educational needs, provided it meets the minimum requirements outlined in the SA Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS).

How to start homeschooling in South Africa

Many South African parents start their homeschooling journey by registering with the Pestalozzi Trust. The Pestalozzi trust is a non-profit organisation that supports parents and provides legal protection when parents face difficulties with local authorities regarding homeschooling.
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Once registered, give the school your children are currently attending notice. Ensure that you receive a formal report card of the completed grade from the school. This will facilitate the transition to a homeschooling curriculum.

Prepare for homeschooling by creating the appropriate learning environment for your child and gather the necessary materials such as textbooks. Remember to refer to your selected curriculum’s recommended textbook list and school’s textbook suppliers lists.
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Finally, ensure that you 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 which 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 South Africa

In keeping with the South African School Act, the Department of Education expects all homeschooled children to be registered with their Provincial Education Department. Website links and relevant information can be found on the department of education's site.

Homeschooling Cost in South Africa

The cost of homeschooling will depend on the curriculum, platform, student level and the subjects you select. 

The homeschooling costs for the CAPS and Cambridge Curriculum will be influenced by the following factors:

• Selected platform and its fees
• Textbooks
• Exam fees

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

Primary School homeschooling costs

Annual online homeschooling fees for Cambridge primary stage students range between R12 420 and R35 910 per year for three subjects. Textbooks will cost between R1 700 and R3 400 and at this level there are no additional examination fees. 

Annual online homeschooling fees for CAPS primary students range between R2 970 and R11 300 for Grades 1-3, between R8 280 and R26 100 for Grades 4-6 and ranges between R12 420 and R39 150 for Grade 7-9. The increase in school fees from Grade 6 to Grade 7 is due to students taking 9 subjects at this level. 

CAPS curriculum textbooks costs range between R2 110 and R2 534, and at this level there are no additional examination fees. 

High School homeschooling costs

Annual online homeschooling fees for lower secondary stage students range between R25 200 and R63 900 per year for six subjects. Textbooks will cost between R6 600 and R8 300 and there are no additional examination fees for Lower Secondary years 1 and 2. 

Annual online homeschooling fees for IGCSE students range between R42 660 and R82 600 per year for six subjects. Textbooks will cost between R5 000 and R6 650 and, depending on the examination centre, exam fees range between R16 629-R33 260 collectively.

Annual online homeschooling fees for CAPS high school students range between R25 900 and R40 040 per year. Textbooks will cost between R3 115 and R3 890 and at this level there are no additional examination fees. 

AS Level homeschooling fees

Annual online homeschooling fees for A Level students range between R46 350 and R97 200 per year for four subjects. Textbooks will cost between R6 650 and R8 315 and, depending on the examination centre, the subject, and the exam type, exam fees range between R16 630-R33 260 collectively.