Homeschooling as an Alternative Form of Educational Provision in South Africa and the USA

Abstract

This paper studies homeschooling as an alternative form of educational provision in South Africa and USA to determine what knowledge and experiences from research on homeschooling in the USA may be relevant to the South Africa situation. Homeschooling in the USA has a sound legal foundation and has become an acceptable educational alternative. Research indicates that homeschoolers are not disadvantaged academically or with regard to social–emotional development or socialisation. Policy makers in the USA seem to be increasingly of the opinion that there should be some form of cooperation between public schools and homeschoolers. The South African Constitution does not contain a stipulation granting parents an explicit right to homeschooling, but does not make homeschooling unconstitutional either. Homeschooling in South Africa is growing phenomenally and educational reasons and religious beliefs appear to be the most important reasons for homeschooling in South Africa. This paper primarily recommends a partnership between government and homeschoolers.

Keywords:

• homeschool
• alternative education
• education provision
• South Africa
• USA