Important Notice: Read Before Proceeding

This information is provided for general guidance and should not be considered legal advice. South Africa has a national homeschooling law under the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act, applicable across all provinces. While administrative processes may differ by province, all must adhere to the BELA Act’s legal framework. Families are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the BELA Act and consult official government sources or legal professionals to ensure compliance and protect their homeschooling rights. 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.

Homeschooling remains a legal and recognized option in South Africa under the BELA Act (2024). While families are responsible for ensuring compliance, our practical tools can assist in organizing homeschool records and planning. We’re here to support your homeschooling journey by providing resources to help you navigate the registration process with confidence.

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:

How SchoolhouseTeachers.com Helps You Meet the BELA Act Requirements

At SchoolhouseTeachers.com, we provide curriculum and organizational tools to make homeschooling simpler and assist families in fulfilling key recordkeeping and documentation requirements under the BELA Act.

What We Offer:

✔ Over 400+ courses from Grade R to Grade 12 – covering core subjects, electives, and Bible-based studies.
✔ Education Plan Builder – a structured tool to assist in creating an Education Plan, helping families organize their academic framework. Download, sign, and submit as required.
✔ Letter of Intent to Homeschool – quickly draft a homeschool registration letter, where applicable. Download, sign, and submit according to provincial processes.
✔ Letter of Withdrawal from Public School – this letter notifies the school of record that a student is being withdrawn to begin homeschooling, helping to avoid any misunderstanding regarding enrollment.
✔ Letter of Confirmation of Homeschooling – this is an update or mid-year verification that homeschooling is ongoing. It is useful when relocating or responding to inquiries.
✔ Report Card Generator – parents can create customizable, printable report cards through their included membership to Applecore.
✔ Gradebook Template – this tool helps parents track academic progress throughout the year.
✔ Portfolio Management System – an essential tool for homeschoolers seeking to track and display student progress, the Portfolio Management System helps families gather and organize key student work samples.
✔ Applecore Recordkeeping – a digital tool for tracking grades, assessments, and attendance to support homeschool documentation.

Homeschool Recordkeeping in 3 Simple Steps

1️⃣ Submit a Letter of Intent (where required)

✔ Notify your Provincial Education Department of your intent to homeschool, as outlined in the BELA Act.
✔ Use our Letter of Intent template to create a structured notification document.
✔ Verify your province’s specific registration process before submission.

2️⃣ Develop an Education Plan (Required for all homeschooling families under the BELA Act)

✔ The BELA Act requires that homeschooling families submit an Education Plan detailing subjects, curriculum, and assessment methods.
✔ Our Education Plan Builder helps you:

  • Select actual course titles from SchoolhouseTeachers.com.
  • Write in additional courses outside of ST.
  • Outline teaching methods & assessment strategies.
  • Generate a formal Education Plan PDF to submit as required.

✔ Easily create plans for multiple children in one place!

3️⃣ Maintain Ongoing Progress Reports

✔ The BELA Act requires homeschoolers to track student progress throughout the year.
✔ Our Applecore Recordkeeping system helps families log assessments, attendance, and grades all in one place.
✔ Generate progress reports, certificates of completion, report cards, and transcripts* on demand.

Note: While registration and reporting processes may vary, all provinces must follow the BELA Act’s national legal framework. Always confirm specific submission steps with official authorities.

Get Everything You Need – Join Today!

By becoming a SchoolhouseTeachers.com member, you’ll gain access to:

✔ The Education Plan Builder – Create and download a structured homeschool plan.
✔ The Letter of Intent Template – Draft and download a formal homeschool registration letter.
✔ The Full Course Library – Choose from 400+ courses for all subjects, Grade R-12.
✔ Applecore Recordkeeping – Track assessments, grades, and progress in one place.

*Annual & Lifetime Members Only: Gain access to transcript generation to document high school coursework for college admissions.

Join today and homeschool with confidence!

Important Disclaimer:

SchoolhouseTeachers.com provides curriculum, planning tools, and organizational resources to assist homeschool families. We do not provide legal services or guarantee approval of homeschooling applications. Families must ensure their homeschool program complies with provincial and national regulations. Always consult official education authorities or legal experts for current compliance guidelines.

Final Thoughts

You’ve got this! Homeschooling under the BELA Act is absolutely possible, and we’re 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