Homeschooling in South Africa | Summary & Service by Teach Me 2

Homeschooling South Africa

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What is homeschooling?

Homeschooling is schooling which occurs outside of a registered school, adheres to an appropriate curriculum and is administered primarily by a parent, with the help of a teacher or tutor. Parents typically opt for homeschooling for personal or religious reasons or where children have unique needs.


(Please note: Homeschooling is for children who aren't in a school and, instead, receive their primary education at home. If you'd like a tutor to come to your house for after-school tutoring please visit our School Tutoring page.)

Our homeschooling service

Parents are legally responsible for the education of their children, but often need help with teaching and tutoring. After all, not all of us have the time or skills to teach effectively.


Our homeschooling service involves placing and managing a competent tutor or teacher for the purposes of conducting a homeschooling programme.


Homeschooling tutoring ranges from 3-4 hours per day and 3-5 days per week.

Homeschooling and South African law

  • Registration with the Department of Education is required for learners of Grades 1-9.
  • Homeschooling by law must take place in the learner’s own home. (SA Schools Act 1996)
  • Learners must meet the minimum requirements of the curriculum for public schools which is available from the Education Department.

Guidance on grades

Grades 1-9

If the learner is of compulsory school-going age (Grades 1 – 9), parents must ensure that he or she is registered with the relevant authorities or alternatively be confident of their legal position to do otherwise. The compulsory phases of education are the foundation phase (grades 1 - 3), the intermediate phase (grades 4 - 6) and the senior phase (grades 7 - 9). Generally speaking, during these phases, Home Schooled learners require 2 to 4 hours of tutoring per day.


Grades 10-12

The parent of a learner who is no longer of compulsory school-going age or grade need not apply for registration for Home Schooling.

However, if the parent wants the learner to be accredited for their studies so as to achieve National Senior Certificate recognition for the relevant grades, it is recommended that the learner be registered for the those particular examinations through an institution, using an approved curriculum. The institution will also be able to assist with programme management, curriculum support and supervision.

Homeschooling Checklist for Parents

  • Obtain the curriculum document from the Department of Education.
  • Make an informed decision about whether you are willing to comply with the minimum standards of the curriculum.
  • Register for homeschooling with your Provincial Department of Education (if your learner is in Grade 1-9).
  • Register for the National Senior Certificate, if your learner intends to achieve this qualification in Grade 12.
  • Assess whether a homeschooling tutor is required or whether you will be taking on the role of primary educator.
  • Choose a provider of learning resources to support the curriculum and programme. See our recommended resource providers below.

Homeschooling Curriculum and Learning Resources

Currently there is no accredited home schooling curriculum that has the formal approval of the Department of Education. However, Teach Me 2 is able to recommend the following curriculum and learning resource providers.

  • Damelin
  • Intec College High School Qualifications
  • Brainline
  • Clonard
  • Damelin
  • Intec College High School Qualifications
  • Brainline
  • Clonard

Obligations of Parents who Homeschool

  • Keep a record of lessons conducted.
  • Keep a portfolio of the learner's work.
  • Maintain up-to-date records of the learner's progress. Your tutor will be able to provide guidance with this.
  • Keep a portfolio of the educational support given to the learner.
  • Keep evidence of the continuous assessment of the learner's work.
  • Keep evidence of the assessment and/or examinations at the end of each year.
  • Keep evidence at the end of Grades 3, 6 and 9, which shows whether the learner has achieved the outcomes for these grades. In some provinces you may need to approach a school to help administer these assessments.
  • In some provinces you may need to liaise with a school to help you monitor your child’s progress.