Important Notice: Read Before Proceeding
This information is provided for general guidance and should not be considered legal advice. Homeschooling laws and requirements in South Africa vary by province and may change over time. While SchoolhouseTeachers.com strives to offer helpful resources, we strongly encourage families to consult official government sources and legal professionals to ensure compliance with the BELA Act and other applicable laws. SchoolhouseTeachers.com is not responsible for any legal consequences resulting from the use of this information.
Welcome, South African Homeschool Families!
We’re thrilled to invite you to SchoolhouseTeachers.com, where thousands of families—including those from South Africa—are already thriving with our Grade R-12 curriculum and homeschool planning tools. If you’re homeschooling under the BELA Act, you’re in the right place!
Homeschooling remains a legal and viable option in South Africa, and compliance with the new BELA Act (2024) doesn’t have to be difficult. We’re here to help you navigate the requirements with practical tools, so you can homeschool with confidence while meeting your obligations to your Provincial Education Department.
Understanding the BELA Act
The Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act was introduced in September 2024 to update South Africa’s education regulations. It became official in December of 2024. Key changes include:
✅ Grade R (Reception Year) is now mandatory as part of South Africa’s compulsory schooling.
✅ Homeschooling is fully legal but requires families to register with their Provincial Education Department and submit an Education Plan and ongoing progress reports.
For official BELA Act information, visit:
South African Department of Basic Education
How SchoolhouseTeachers.com Helps You Meet the BELA Act Requirements
At SchoolhouseTeachers.com, we provide curriculum and organizational tools to make homeschooling simpler and ensure you meet the three key compliance requirements under the BELA Act.
What We Offer:
✔ Over 400+ courses from Grade R to Grade 12 – core subjects, electives, and Bible-based studies.
✔ The Education Plan Builder – a tool to create a fully structured Education Plan, ready for submission. Download, sign, and mail it in.
✔ Letter of Intent Template – quickly draft your homeschool registration letter. Download, sign, and mail it in.
✔ Applecore Recordkeeping – an easy way to track grades, assessments, and attendance to demonstrate absolute compliance.
Compliance in 3 Easy Steps
1️⃣ Submit a Letter of Intent
✔ Inform your Provincial Education Department of your intent to homeschool.
✔ Use our Letter of Intent template to create and download a submission-ready document.
✔ Verify your province’s specific requirements before sending.
2️⃣ Develop an Education Plan
✔ Every homeschooling family must submit an Education Plan detailing subjects, curriculum, and assessments.
✔ Our Education Plan Builder comes with your membership to SchoolhouseTeachers.com and lets you:
- Select actual course titles from SchoolhouseTeachers.com.
- Write in additional courses outside of ST.
- Outline your teaching methods & assessment strategies.
- Generate a formal Education Plan PDF for submission.
✔ One tool, multiple children: Easily create plans for each of your children in one place, no matter how many you have!
3️⃣ Maintain Ongoing Progress Reports
✔ The BELA Act requires homeschoolers to keep track of student progress.
✔ Our Applecore Recordkeeping system helps you log assessments, attendance, and grades all in one place.
✔ Easily generate progress reports, certificates of completion for each course, report cards, and transcripts on demand.
Note: Registration and reporting may vary by province. Always confirm your local requirements before submission.
Get Everything You Need – Join Today!
By becoming a SchoolhouseTeachers.com member, you’ll have access to:
✔ The Education Plan Builder – Create and download a government-ready plan.
✔ The Letter of Intent Template – Draft and download your homeschool registration letter.
✔ The Full Course Library – Choose from 400+ courses for all subjects, Grade R-12.
✔ Applecore Recordkeeping – Keep track of assessments, grades, and progress.
Join today and homeschool with confidence!
Sign Up Now
Important Disclaimer:
SchoolhouseTeachers.com provides curriculum, planning tools, and organizational resources. We do not guarantee approval of homeschooling applications and do not provide legal services. Families are responsible for ensuring their homeschool program complies with provincial requirements. Always consult official education authorities or legal experts for the latest compliance guidelines.
Final Thoughts
You’ve got this! Homeschooling under the BELA Act is absolutely possible, and we are here to support you every step of the way. With the right tools, structured planning, and a supportive community, you can provide your children with a high-quality, personalized education—on your terms.
Let’s get started today!
Blessings,
The SchoolhouseTeachers.com Team
Welcome to your South Africa Homeschooling Hub
MORE COPY TEXT GOES HERE
Important Notice
This Letter of Intent template is provided as a general guide to assist homeschooling families in South Africa. Each province may have unique submission requirements, and this template may need modifications to meet local expectations. It is the parent’s responsibility to verify the specific guidelines of their Provincial Education Department before submission. SchoolhouseTeachers.com does not provide legal advice or guarantee acceptance of this document by any government agency.
Use Our Letter of Intent Template for Easy Submission
SchoolhouseTeachers.com provides a customizable Letter of Intent template to help homeschooling families in South Africa fulfill the notification requirement under the BELA Act (2024). This template is designed to assist you in formally notifying your Provincial Education Department of your intent to homeschool.
How It Works:
✅ Fill out the template with your family’s details.
✅ Download the finalized document in PDF format.
✅ Submit it to your Provincial Education Department (after verifying province-specific requirements).
Important: Each province may have unique submission guidelines. Always verify specific requirements with your local education office before submission.
Access the Letter of Intent Template Here: HERE
Access our Education Plan Builder HERE.
Access Recordkeeping & Progress HERE.
Access a list of all our courses HERE.
