In a recent article, Prof. Rita Niemann, head of academics at FutureLearn, expressed her support for the legislative changes in the Home Education Policy (2018) and BELA Bill. These changes introduce a 6 years’ jail sentence for not registering and consequently not following the national curriculum. She believes : "These penalties are in place to ensure that children receive education aligned to their age, grade, level and ability," and to “ensure...

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) promulgated a policy on home education that attempts to monitor home learners by requiring them to be regularly assessed by competent assessors. Assessment results must be evaluated by the DBE to take remedial actions when results do not meet minimum requirements. The stated intention of this monitoring is to avoid that home learners fall through the cracks. Although the stated intention seems noble, closer examination reveals...