Since the lockdowns of 2020, many South Africans have been exploring homeschooling and online education. This shift can make education more accessible to many, and sometimes even save parents some costs. However, it also brings some challenges regarding the quality of education and your child’s social development.

Are these substitutes effective, and do they address the unique challenges of families, children and teachers? To find out, let’s look at the answers to some frequently asked questions.

Is online schooling the same as homeschooling?

The terms are often used interchangeably, but they don’t mean exactly the same thing. Homeschooling simply means that your child is taught at home, not enrolled in a school. Parents or guardians often teach the lessons, so they need to put significant effort into the curriculum, lesson planning, and active teaching.

Online schooling refers to lessons delivered via the internet, in which professional teachers from accredited institutions teach structured classes online – usually following a standardised curriculum. It’s a formal learning environment, and online education can be an important complementary teaching tool in schools located in remote areas, or that don’t have enough teachers. And, of course, online schooling can also make homeschooling more effective.

South Africa has several reputable online schooling options, but there are also some less reliable operators out there. If you’re trying to decide which online schooling platform would be best for your child, do some research among other homeschooling parents and look for online reviews of each institution. Equip your child for academic success with an online school that has a solid reputation and a proven track record.

Is homeschooling as effective as traditional schooling?

The quality of a homeschool education depends on factors like the curriculum used, teaching methods, and the resources available. Homeschooling can offer a flexible, tailored education personalised to match your child's learning style, pace, and interests. They may benefit from 1-on-1 instruction focused on subjects that align with their strengths and goals.

On the other hand, traditional schooling offers structured environments, qualified teachers, extracurricular activities, and social interactions important to overall development. Exposure to diverse perspectives, lifestyles and worldviews is a strength of traditional schooling that is too often underrated.

Whether homeschooling is the best option could depend on your family's priorities, the child's needs, and your level of commitment as an educator. You might also consider a hybrid model – homeschooling your child but subscribing to an online school so that professional educators can teach them via the internet, while you merely supervise their home classroom routine.

Will homeschooling remain legal?

Homeschooling and online schools are legal in South Africa, but we have seen some teething problems since the large-scale shift in 2020. Some parents have struggled to cope with the teaching load, and some online schools have also had trouble complying with the regulations and paperwork that the Department of Basic Education (DBE) has in place to ensure online learners are taught, assessed and examined properly. These setbacks raised questions about the long-term viability of homeschooling.

In the months before President Ramaphosa signed the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act (BELA) in 2024, there were fears that the new law would prohibit homeschooling. These fears turned out to be groundless: BELA has not banned homeschooling, although it does impose strict rules on parents and online education providers with respect to curriculum planning, compulsory registration with the DBE, and independent external assessments.

How do you apply to homeschool?

• Download an application form
  Apply to the head of your provincial education department – you'll find application forms and guidelines on the DBE's website.
  
  
• Include these documents
  • Certified copies of your IDs and the child’s birth certificate.
  • The child’s last school report (if applicable) or their immunisation card for new learners.
  • A weekly timetable and a breakdown of your school terms – you must fit in at least 196 school days a year.
  • The learning programme you’ve chosen.

You can submit the completed application form along with the required documents electronically.

• Verification
  A DBE official may conduct a home visit to verify the information and give you guidance.
  
  
• Approval
  If your application is approved, you will receive a registration letter or certificate with a registration number.

How do you ensure quality homeschool education?

• Choose the right curriculum: The DBE allows you to select your child’s curriculum, provided it aligns with compulsory education phases – foundation (Grades R–3), intermediate (Grades 4–6), and senior (Grades 7–9).
• Maintain records: Keep detailed records of attendance, your child’s progress, and a portfolio of their work. This includes evidence of continuous assessments, tests, and year-end examinations.
• Regular assessments: Conduct assessments to ensure your child is meeting the required educational outcomes, especially at the end of Grades 3, 6, and 9.
• Use all the resources available: Online resources, support groups, and educational tools can all help supplement your child’s learning.

Investing in your child’s education

If you choose online schooling, it’s crucial to have access to the right technology. Fortunately, you can shop for the tools you need online. Platforms like Avo SuperShop make it easy to equip your child for online learning with laptops, tablets, smartphones, and reliable digital accessories. If you’re a Nedbank client and a member of Greenbacks, you can also score exclusive deals and get up to 10% extra off on Avo.

However, homeschooling does raise several challenges for parents and learners, and you may decide that traditional schooling offers a more structured, reliable education. An affordable personal loan could be a solution if your child gets an unexpected educational opportunity that you haven’t planned for, but ideally, you should be focused on securing them the best education possible from the moment they’re born. Nedbank can help you save and invest so you can afford to send your child to a better school and set them up for a brighter future.