Policy on homeschooling to become law

To ensure every child’s right to basic education, with requirements

THE controversial homeschooling policy has been approved by the Council of Education Ministers (CEM) and is now being prepared to be promulgated into law.

The policy, among others, provides for registration, implementation and monitoring of homeschooling.

Consultations started in 2014 and 740 submissions were received, according to the Department of Basic Education (DBE).

The first consultation meeting was attended by, among others, representatives from home education associations, Pestalozzi Trust (the legal arm for some parents); independent curriculum providers; Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa, Umalusi; and the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).

The home education community expressed appreciation for the opportunity, as it was the first time that the state had engaged them on the practice.

The policy was presented to DBE management structures, and approved by heads of the education department committee to be tabled at a CEM meeting for promulgation.

“The department is aware that a small group is opposed to the policy and has been spamming departmental officials, requesting that the policy not be promulgated.

“But considering the extensive and all-encompassing consultation process, the Department of Basic Education is confident that all comments on the policy have been adequately ventilated.

“This is in the best interests to ensure that every child has a right to basic education as enshrined in the Constitution,” the DBE said.

The policy applies to all provinces as national norms and standards of home education, and that parents may choose subjects that meet the requirements of the National Senior Certificate.

Parents who wish to withdraw a school-going pupil from home education need to inform the head of department in writing.