How to Register for Homeschooling in South Africa (2027): Step by Step

To homeschool a child in Grades R to 9 in South Africa, you apply to your provincial Head of Department on the province's home education form. Registration is free. If the department doesn't respond within 60 days, registration is treated as approved, as long as you can prove you applied.

Homeschooling is legal in South Africa, and for children of compulsory school age it comes with a registration process set out in the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act, in force since 24 December 2024. The process is simpler than many parents expect — and stricter than many assume. Here's exactly who must register, how to apply, what happens after, and the obligations that come with it.

Do I have to register my child for homeschooling?

Yes, if your child is of compulsory school age and educated at home. Under the BELA Act, that means:

• From Grade R

• Until the end of Grade 9, or the end of the year your child turns 15 — whichever comes first

Grades 10 to 12 are outside the registration requirement. Families can continue homeschooling without applying or notifying the department.

Is your child at an online school rather than homeschooling? Ask the school what applies to your child. This guide is for families choosing home education — including homeschooling programmes such as Teneo's Without Classes options.

How to register for homeschooling: step by step

Step 1: Get your province's application form

Each province uses its own home education application form. The Department of Basic Education publishes the provincial forms on its home education page, and provincial education departments provide them too.

Step 2: Prepare the documents the form asks for

Provide what your province's form requests — typically your identity document, your child's birth certificate, and a description of the curriculum or education programme you'll follow.

A tip: a structured, CAPS-aligned programme is the simplest to describe, and makes a later return to school or entry to matric more straightforward.

Step 3: Submit the application to the Head of Department

Send it to the Head of Department of your provincial education department — electronically where your province accepts it.

Keep dated proof that you submitted it. You'll need it if the 60-day rule applies.

Step 4: Allow for a possible consultation

The department may ask for a pre-registration consultation or visit to verify the information in your application.

Step 5: Wait up to 60 days

If the department hasn't responded within 60 days of receiving your application, it's treated as approved — provided you can produce proof that you applied. The department may issue a registration certificate.

The department must decline an application if the requirements aren't met, or if home education isn't in your child's best interests.

What you must do once registered

Under the Act, as a home-educating parent you must:

• Make suitable learning resources available for your child

• Monitor your child's academic progress

• Arrange an assessment by a competent assessor at the end of each phase

• Submit the assessor's signed report to the Head of Department at the end of each phase

• Notify the Head of Department at the end of each phase if you intend to continue home education

Keep good records — work samples, marks and reports. They make the end-of-phase assessment straightforward, and a return to school or matric registration easier later.

End-of-phase assessments

Registration and assessment are organised by phase:

• Foundation Phase: Grades R to 3 — assessed at the end of Grade 3

• Intermediate Phase: Grades 4 to 6 — assessed at the end of Grade 6

• Senior Phase: Grades 7 to 9 — assessed at the end of Grade 9

Who can assess: a "competent assessor" as defined in the Act. An educator registered with the South African Council for Educators (SACE) is one example. You, as the parent, don't assess your own child for this purpose.

Budget for it. The assessor's fee is usually carried by the family.

When should I apply?

• Starting homeschooling at the beginning of 2027: apply in October or November 2026, so the 60 days run out before the school year starts

• Moving from school to homeschooling mid-year: apply before you withdraw your child, and keep proof of submission

• At each new phase (Grades 4 and 7): notify the department at the end of the previous phase that you're continuing

How much does registration cost?

Nothing. Registering for home education with your province is free.

What does cost money is the homeschooling itself — curriculum, books, devices and the end-of-phase assessor. At Teneo in 2027, homeschooling options start at R800 a month. See the 2027 fees.

Common problems — and how to handle them

No response from the department. Keep your dated proof of submission. After 60 days, the application is treated as approved.

Requests for documents the form doesn't list. Some families report provincial offices asking for more than the Act requires. Ask politely which requirement the request is based on, and keep copies of all correspondence.

Many families aren't registered. SAHomeschoolers estimates more than 95% of homeschooling families aren't registered with a provincial department. Registration is a legal requirement for Grades R to 9, and it protects your child's record if you later return to school.

The law may still change. The BELA Act is in force, but parts of it have been challenged in court. Check the Department of Basic Education's home education page for current requirements.

Homeschooling with Teneo

Teneo offers two homeschooling options from Grade 4, in English or Afrikaans in Grades 4 to 9:

• Without Classes — Teneo's content modules on a schedule, with timetabled assessments set, invigilated, marked and moderated by qualified teachers, and termly promotion reports — a clear record of progress

• Without Classes and Reports — content modules on a schedule; in IEB Grades 4 to 9, prior-year content and assessments with memorandums

Registering your child for home education remains your application to the province. Teneo's teacher-marked assessments and reports help you monitor progress and keep records.

See homeschooling at Teneo and the learning options, or talk to admissions.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to register my child for homeschooling in South Africa? Yes, from Grade R until the end of Grade 9 or the year your child turns 15, whichever comes first. Grades 10 to 12 don't need to be registered.

How do I register my child for homeschooling? Complete your province's home education application form and submit it, with the documents it requests, to the Head of Department at your provincial education department. Keep proof of submission.

Is homeschooling registration free? Yes.

How long does registration take? The department has 60 days to respond. If it doesn't, your registration is treated as approved, provided you can prove you applied.

What documents do I need? Those your province's form asks for — typically your ID, your child's birth certificate and a description of the curriculum you'll use.

Do I have to follow CAPS? Your curriculum needs to be suitable for your child and acceptable to the department. A CAPS-aligned curriculum is the simplest to describe and makes returning to school or entering matric easier.

Who assesses my child? A competent assessor, at the end of Grades 3, 6 and 9. You submit their signed report to the department.

Can the department refuse registration? Yes — if the requirements aren't met, or if home education isn't in your child's best interests.

What happens after Grade 9? Registration and phase assessments no longer apply. For a matric, your child needs a provider registered with SACAI or the IEB.

Sources: Basic Education Laws Amendment Act (in force from 24 December 2024), section 51 of the South African Schools Act as amended; provincial home education application forms (Department of Basic Education). This guide is general information, not legal advice — check your province's current requirements.