Familiarize yourself with the Policy on Home Education

What is Home Education?

Home Education is when, education in the compulsory school- going age is done primarily at home. Compulsory school-going age: From the year in which the learner turns 7 or Grade 1, to the year the learner turns 15 or Grade 9, whichever comes first. A learner in Grade 10 – 12 is not of compulsory school going age anymore, information regarding Gr 10 – 12 follows below.

Is it legal?

Yes, It is legal.

Do I need to register at my Provincial Education Department? If so, how long is the registration valid?

Yes, the South African Schools Act states that a learner must register for Home Education. A parent must register the learner at the beginning of each phase.
There are 3 phases:
Foundation phase Gr 1 – 3
Intermediate phase Gr 4-6
Senior phase Gr 7-9

But what about people saying I should not register with my Provincial Education Department?

Some parents that Home Educate their children are not registered with the Department of Basic Education. They have various reasons for this. This would be your choice and you need to do your homework regarding this. BUT if you do decide not to register your child for Home Education you are operating outside the law, and you may be fined or be imprisoned for a maximum of 6 months.

Do I have to follow the CAPS curriculum?

No, you may follow any curriculum you prefer, as long as the standard is not inferior to the standard of CAPS, and the learner is assessed at the end of each phase.

Do I need to use a Curriculum Provider?

No, you may make use of a Curriculum Provider to assist you with the journey.
Some parents find all the information around Home Education overwhelming and the Providers help them with a more structured approach.
Auxilio cc supplies CAPS aligned assessments and we moderate the learner’s progress at the end of each year.

What about a Report?

The parent must keep a portfolio of evidence in which he/she files the work that shows the learner’s progress, and in which he/she reports on the learner’s progress. At the end of each phase the learner must be assessed by a competent assessor, who then writes a report, which must be submitted to the Head of the Provincial Department when applying for registration of Home Education in the next phase.
Auxilio cc will assess a learner at the end of a phase according to the curriculum used by the parent, and compare the curriculum to the minimum outcomes of CAPS

What about a tutor / tutor centre?

You may make use of a tutor to assist in learning areas where the learner has problems, as long as the primary education takes place at home.

What about Gr 10-12?

At this stage, the learner is not in the compulsory school-going age anymore. If you would like to complete the National Senior Certificate (Matric) you must enrol the learner with a Distance Education Provider that is registered with an accredited Assessment Body.
This is the FET phase or in international terms NQF level 2-4. It is a 3-year National Qualification and therefore the regulations must strictly be adhered to.
Auxilio cc is Registered with SACAI to administer the FET phase.
You may choose to do any other curriculum and not complete the South African NSC. Not all curriculums will guarantee you admission to University and different Universities have different admission policies.