GUIDELINES FOR THE REGISTRATION OF LEARNERS FOR HOME EDUCATION

NB. Home education may not instill discrimination, racism or religious intolerance in learners.

1.    Home education

Home education is a programme of education provided by a parent or legal guardian to his or her child(ren) at home.

Home education is a legal independent form of education alternative to attendance at a public or independent school.

(1)    Only a parent of a learner of compulsory school- going age, must apply to the Head of Department to register a learner to receive education at home for the following compulsory phases of education:

Foundation Phase only for grades 1 - 3; ages 6 - 10 years

Intermediate Phase for grades 4 - 6 years; ages 9 - 13 years

Senior Phase Grades 7 - 9; ages 12 - 15 years.
(2)     The parent / guardian must complete the prescribed form well in advance, not later than October of the previous academic year, and furnish the Head of Department with the information required. See the form on the last page.
(3)    The Head of Department must register the learner within 90 days of receipt of the application and provide the parent with a certificate of registration.
(4)    A parent may appeal in writing to the Member of the Executive Council if the Head of Department refuses to register the learner.
(5)    Should a parent fail to apply for registration, the learner will be considered to be a truant and the parent is guilty of a offence in terms of section 3(6) of the South African Schools Act, 1996.
(6)    If a learner was educated at a public or independent school prior to being educated at home, the parent must obtain a transfer certificate from the school.
(7)    A parent may negotiate with a school of the parent's choice for the learner to take part in the cultural, social or sporting activities at a fee determined by the public or independent school.

(1)    The Head of Department must register a learner for education at home on the following conditions:
(a)    The education at home must be in the interest of the learner, i.e. his or her fundamental right to education must be provided for. The programme must be of such a nature that it will suit the age of ability of the learner, and the environment must be conducive to learning. The learner must be able to phase into the mainstream of education at any stage, if necessary.
(b)    The education which the learner receives at home must comply with the minimum requirements of the curriculum in public schools and be of a reasonable standard that is not inferior to the standard of education provided at public schools. The home programme of learning must comply with the outcomes specified for each of the above phases in each of the following eight learning areas:
• Language, Literacy and Communication
• Human and Social Sciences
• Technology
• Mathematical Literacy, Mathematics and Mathematical Sciences
• Natural Sciences
• Arts and Culture
• Economics and Management Sciences
• Life Orientation
(2)    The parent must also comply with the following conditions:
(a)    Parents must show proof that home education is in the interest of the learner. Home education may also become necessary, e.g. for medical or disability reasons, giftedness, distance from school and lack of transport or hostel accommodation, school referral in cases of suspension or expulsion, or the parents are migrant workers.
(b)    The learner must receive education for at least 3 hours per school day.
(c)    A record of attendance must be kept.
(d)    A portfolio of the work of the learner must be kept for possible inspection by the nominee of the Head of Department (superintendent of education responsible for independent schools).
(e)    The parent should appoint an independent accredited educator at own expense for the assessment of the learners progress. Learners must also comply with the assessment criteria and the performance indicators as stated for each of the various outcomes. They should write approved standardised tests for their grade and age, where these are specified. They should at least be tested after the first three months of home education and at the end of every school phase. The parents must keep the assessment results for a period of three years for monitoring/examination by the Head of Department or his nominee who could be an official of the provincial department of education.
 

(1)    The Head of Department may withdraw the registration of a learner who is receiving education at home if-
(a)    the parent does not comply with the requirements in paragraphs 2 and 3 above;
(b)    he or she has reason to believe that the learner is not receiving education at home;
(c)    the education does not meet the required standard; or
(d)    the environment of the learner does not serve the interest of the learner.
 
(2)    The registration may be withdrawn after the Head of Department has-
(a)    informed the parent of his or her intention and the reasons for such withdrawal;
(b)    granted the parent an opportunity to make representations to him or her in relation to deregistration; and
(c)    has considered the representation received.
 
(3)    The parent concerned may appeal to the Member of the Executive Council against the withdrawal of registration. The parent must appeal in writing and include documented reasons for the appeal.

(4)    Should a learner be admitted to a public or independent school the parent must notify the Head of Department.

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