FAQs
FAQs for
Home education (often referred to as homeschooling) is where parents choose to educate their children at home instead of sending them to a traditional public or private school. Families choose to homeschool for a variety of reasons, including:
- dissatisfaction with the educational options available;
- different religious beliefs or educational philosophies;
- sport and/or cultural commitments where the child’s schedule cannot be accommodated by a traditional school;
- learning challenges; and more.
Section 3 of the South African Schools Act states that school attendance is compulsory for children from the age of 7 up to the age of 15. Homeschool or home education is a legal alternative to traditional public or private schools. Distance learning applies to learners older than 15, i.e. learners in the FET Phase (Grade 10 to 12). Distance learning is an alternative education option and Rutega Learning Hubs provides the support, material, and guidance for learners to complete their studies without physically attending a school/educational institution.
Yes. Home education is a legally recognised alternative to formal education in South Africa. It was legalised in 1996 and Section 51 of the South African Schools Act states that parents have the option to register their child with the Head of Department of a Provincial Education Department should they wish to educate their child at home.
Homeschooling provides the flexibility that traditional schools cannot offer. In general, parents decide to homeschool when their child has particular needs that cannot be accommodated within a traditional school such as a busy sports schedule where they cannot attend a traditional school for months on end, or where the learner needs dedicated attention and larger school classes cannot accommodate this.
Yes. At Rutega, we follow the CAPS curriculum, which means that our lesson material and educational products adhere to the curriculum directives set out by the Department of Education. Your child can easily migrate back into a mainstream school if the need arises or can finish their Grade 12 with us and achieve the National Senior Certificate – just like if he/she had been attending a public school.
Homeschooling is a legally recognised alternative to traditional schooling. For Grades 1 to 9 parents are required to register their children as homeschooled with their Provincial Department of Education. We provide you with a portfolio of evidence to support your child’s progress in the CAPS curriculum. For Grades 10 to 12, we are currently in the process to register with www.sacai.org.za – one of three examinations board accredited with Umalusi. All students in these grades will be registered with SACAI.
Learners in the compulsory phases on education must register with the PED as homeschooled. Rutega Learning Hubs provides you with guidance on this process to ensure a smooth transition to homeschooling for you and your child. The following phases are compulsory:
- Foundation Phase (Grade 1 to 3).
- Intermediate Phase (Grade 4 to 6).
- Senior Phase (Grade 7 to 9).
Learners in grade 10 – 12 (FET phase) must register with an examination body. Because examination bodies do not take independent candidates, learners must register through a curriculum and tuition provider such as Rutega Learning Hubs.
Rutega Learning Hubs provides support in terms of:
- Registration with the Provincial Education Department (PED)
- Tuition in the form on online and in-hub lessons
- Administration support in developing and keeping a learner portfolio of residence.
Each learner is assigned to a learning facilitator who is responsible for overseeing and managing student learning.
Learning Facilitators:
- Provide instruction, guidance, and support
- Track academic progress
- Evaluate student work
- Develop a strong partnership with parents or responsible adults
- Work in consultation with parents to recommend remedial or enrichment programs and make placement and promotion decisions
- Communicate regularly with their learners
- Participate in regular training and professional development
In terms of the Department of Basic Education’s requirement parents are responsible for the child’s education when home schooling. Rutega also recognises the importance of parental involvement in the process of homeschool and as such parents are encouraged to be active participants in their child’s education, working in close partnership with learning facilitators and the hub.
The answer to this depends on the delivery model you select. Rutega has created a space that enables learners to gain access to a variety of learning resources. However, in order to benefit from flexible schedules and learning, the following are required:
- A laptop/desktop
- An internet connection (preferably uncapped internet)
- Stationery (Pens, pencils, calculators, rules etc.)
- Writing books for each subject.
Learners will have access to our learning management system (Rutega Online) which will provide them access to learning resources, videos, assessments, reporting etc.
Flexible. Quality Education.
Our home school programme provides a complete solution for Grades 3 to 12.
- Qualified school teachers and Learning Facilitators
- Continuous assessments and tests
- An established curriculum aligned with the Dept of Basic Education
- Live, interactive virtual and in-hub lessons
- A portfolio of evidence as required by the department of Basic Education
- Adherence to school policies and procedures
- Collaborative learning
Yes. There is no set date and time for when you can do this. We encourage parents to get in touch as often as they need to with regards to their child’s progress and learning. You will receive regular assessment reports and they provide a great opportunity to discuss your learner’s learning progress and further enrichment required.
No. At Rutega we allow learners to learn where they are. The learning hub, based in Ormonde, is there as a resource to use should learners prefer our learning space and having an wider access to learning resources. The learning hub also provides learners with an opportunity to network with other learners and build their social skills.
Rutega provides a comprehensive set of educational products based on the CAPS curriculum for Grade R to 12 in English. Speak to us should you be interested in a different curriculum.
There are no formal examinations for learners in Grade R – 3. The parent/facilitator can assess the learner’s formal assessments. For Grade 4 – 9, the facilitator is deemed a suitable invigilator. All Grade 10 – 12 examinations must be written at an approved invigilator (commissioner of oath, assessor, qualified teacher).
Grade 4 – 9: The facilitator is deemed a suitable invigilator and the examination will be written at Rutega Learning Hubs.
Grade 10 – 12: All examinations (June, November and Preliminary Examination – excluding the Grade 12 Final Examination) will be written at Rutega Learning Hubs. The Grade 12 Final Examination will be written at a registered examination centre. Examination centres are generally established based on the concentration of candidates per geographical area. Candidates are allocated to a registered examination centre based on their physical address. Examination centres differ yearly and might not be in your preferred area.
During the academic year, tests must be written according to a test period timetable. Rutega Learning Hubs will mark according to the scheduled submission due dates. The due dates for the Grade 10 to 12 June, Preliminary and Final Examination are set and must be strictly adhered to.