How to Register for Self Education in South Africa
A step by step guide
To register for Home Education in South Africa, your parents must contact the Home Education Coordinator in your specific province. Since you live in the countryside, most of this can be done via email or online.
If you live in a metropolitan area, some of your family will live in a rural areas. Use that one.
Below are the key contacts and the checklist for your parents to get you started for Grade 1.
1. Provincial Contact List (2025)
If your province isn't listed below, your parents should call the National Department of Basic Education at 0800 202 933.
| Province | Contact Person / Office | Email Address | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gauteng | Ms. C. Motshwane | Carol.motshwane@gauteng.gov.za | 010 600 6202 |
| Western Cape | Mr. Deon Louw | Deon.louw@westerncape.gov.za | 021 467 2653 |
| KwaZulu-Natal | Ms. Dineo Motloli | Dineo.Motloli@kzndoe.gov.za | 033 348 6115 |
| Eastern Cape | Ms. MN Ndzunga | Nomfundo.ndzunga@ecdoe.gov.za | 040 608 4186 |
| Free State | Mr. MJ Ntsala | MJ.Ntsala@fseducation.gov.za | 051 447 0038 |
| Limpopo | Ms. M. Baloyi | BaloyiME@limpopo.edu.gov.za | 015 290 9419 |
| Mpumalanga | Mr. M. Pieterse | M.Pieterse@education.mpu.gov.za | 013 766 5875 |
| North West | Ms. P. Pule | Ppule@nwpg.gov.za | 018 389 8204 |
| Northern Cape | Mr. K. Mhlom | uzondwa@gmail.com | 053 839 6356 |
2. Registration Checklist for Parents
To register a child for the first time (Grade 1), your parents will need to prepare a digital folder with these documents:
- Application Form: Downloaded from the provincial website or requested via email.
- Certified ID Copies: Of both parents/guardians.
- Certified Birth Certificate: Of the child.
- Immunization Card: Since you are starting Grade 1, they need to show your clinic card.
- Educational Plan: A simple document explaining what subjects you will learn (Language, Math, Life Skills).
- Weekly Timetable: A plan showing that you will study for at least 3 hours a day.
3. How to Send the Application
- Email: This is the easiest way for remote families. Send all the scanned documents to the coordinator listed above.
- Wait for the Letter: It can take about 30 days. They will send back a Registration Certificate.
- Keep it Safe: This certificate is very important! You will need it if you ever want to move to a physical school later or when you apply to university.
Note for the Countryside: If the internet is very slow, your parents can also post the documents via Registered Mail to the provincial head office, but email is much faster and more reliable.