When the BELA Bill was passed in December 2024, many parents feared their right to homeschool freely might be lost. But here’s the truth the Department of Basic Education quietly admits: you are still free to choose ANY curriculum that suits your family. There is no list of “approved” programmes. Registration is a requirement, yes — but it does not mean giving up your right to homeschool in a way that actually works for your children.
And this is why we’re urging South African homeschoolers to use this freedom wisely. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that the only “safe” way to homeschool is to copy-and-paste a school into your lounge via a CAPS-based online system.
Because if there’s one thing we’ve learned after decades of walking alongside homeschooling families, it’s this:
Children were never designed to learn alone, glued to a screen, ticking boxes on someone else’s schedule.
CAPS Online: When School at Home Becomes a Source of Stress
We’ve had heart-wrenching calls from parents at breaking point. One mother sobbed on the phone as she described how her bright, curious son — who once loved reading and asking questions — now refuses to open a book. The online programme she had enrolled him in promised structure and safety. What it delivered was isolation, burnout and a deadened love of learning.
“He used to ask questions about everything,” she told us. “Now he just stares at the screen, waiting for the next assignment. I feel like I’ve lost my child.”
Another family explained how their daughter, once bubbly and imaginative, grew increasingly anxious and discouraged under the rigid demands of an online CAPS curriculum. Despite being “home,” she felt completely alone — no classmates to chat with, no teacher who truly saw her, no joy in the process.
“It was supposed to be homeschooling,” the dad said, “but it was just school… without the fun bits.”
Why Customised, Eclectic Homeschooling Is the Better Way
At Footprints, we believe homeschooling should be a breath of fresh air — not just a change of venue. Your home isn’t a classroom. And your children aren’t factory-made products to be standardised.
That’s why our programmes are story-driven, locally rooted, and designed for real-life connection. We blend literature, nature study, South African history, hands-on learning and family conversation. You don’t need to sit behind a screen or tick through endless worksheets. Instead, you can:
- Listen to a story book together
- Have rich discussions over breakfast about the characters in your history reader
- Use a local news story as a springboard for a current affairs lesson
- Spend a morning doing nature study at your local park
Real life becomes your classroom.
Meet the Families Who Switched — and Found Freedom
The van Heerden family was exhausted after trying two different online programmes. Their children were despondent and disengaged. They took the leap to Footprints — and never looked back.
“Now we learn together again,” said Liezl, mom of three. “My kids ask questions, share ideas, and most of all, they’re laughing again.”
Another mom, Thandi, described how Footprints restored her confidence as a parent-teacher.
“I thought I needed to outsource everything to experts,” she said. “But what my children really needed was me. The stories we read together have sparked so many deep conversations — things we’d never have covered in CAPS.”
What You Really Need to Know
Here’s what the Department won’t plaster across its brochures:
- You are not required to use CAPS or any online school to register legally.
- You are free to choose a customised, eclectic curriculum like Footprints.
- Your child’s mental health and love of learning matter more than ticking boxes.
- Homeschooling is about connection, curiosity and character — not conformity.
Choose Freedom. Choose Joy. Choose What Works.
If homeschooling is becoming a burden or a battle, it’s time to re-evaluate. You do not have to replicate school at home. You do not have to hand your child’s learning over to a screen. You have the freedom to choose a programme that aligns with your values, your child’s learning style, and your family rhythms.
And that’s where Footprints shines.
Let us walk this journey with you — one story, one conversation, one beautiful learning moment at a time.
Explore our full range of South African homeschooling programmes here:
English programmes
Afrikaans leerprogramme
Or sign up for our free email series “Tips for Starting Homeschooling” and discover how to homeschool with joy, confidence and connection: Sign up here
You have the freedom. Use it boldly. Your child’s future is worth it.
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