Whilst mainstream schools are affecting people as these have become the global churches where many Muslims in particular find themselves in a compromised situation, the questions that anti home schoolers raise could leave many unstable. This is due to a lack of information. Talks of the Bela bill forcing kids into these main stream schools, one has to be geared up in providing factual answers on why you choose not to send your child to schools and have chosen to home school.
Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘alaihi wa Sallam said:
“Beware of the vision of the believer, he sees with the light of Allah” (Tirmidhi)
How do we answer these authoritative organisations or simple individuals with facts. Well, experts have presented five which may seem helpful:
Five Facts About Home Education in South Africa
1. In South Africa, home education was made provision for under the South African Schools Act of 1996. It has been a recognised alternative form of education for the last 29 years.
2. The South African home education sector celebrates diversity.
3. South Africa has 12 officially recognised languages, and one of the most advanced Constitutions in the world. Our Constitution recognises each child’s right to receive an education in his or her mother tongue, and this is where home education comes in. By homeschooling, parents can ensure that their Zulu, Venda or Sepedi children receive an education in the language of their choice.
4. Not much data exists on the home education sector in SA, but some believe there may be as many as 300 000 home educating learners in our country. If this is the case then our sector is saving the government about R6. 9 Billion each year.
5. The recommended student to teacher ratio in South Africa is 32.1, but even if we push this to the 40.1 limit, most schools would still be considered verifiably overcrowded. By homeschooling we are lessening the burden placed on the state (who is currently struggling to ensure learners who want to attend public schools can do so).
