If ever there was a year when parents and children lost freedom in education, it was 2014. Public schools lost the freedom to choose textbooks, pupils lost freedom to choose subjects, compulsory school attendance is extended,  the administrative burden of private schools increases and National Curriculum is extended to birth. All these changes were announced by the Minister of Basic Education, without anyone making much of a fuss. Public schools lose...

South African politicians are known for entertaining bizarre opinions on various topics. This tradition is now also starting to affect homeschooling parents. The current state president, Jacob Zuma, testified in court that he believes that taking a shower reduces the risk of being infected by AIDS.  Previous president, Thabo Mbeki criticized the scientific consensus that HIV does cause AIDS. Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, a previous health minister, promoted the use of unproven herbal...