Homeschooling in Free State
The Free State, with its mix of cities, farming towns and wide-open spaces, is a natural fit for flexible home education.
Homeschooling across Free State
Families in Bloemfontein, Welkom, the Goldfields and rural farming communities choose homeschooling for the freedom to fit learning around family and farm life. Distances can be large in the Free State, and home education removes the daily school commute while keeping learning structured.
Virtus Education supports Free State families with complete CAPS-aligned learning materials for Grades R to 9, so your child follows the national curriculum at home with clear, ready-to-use lesson plans and assessments.
Main centres: Bloemfontein, Welkom, Sasolburg, Bethlehem, Kroonstad
Is homeschooling legal in Free State?
Yes. Homeschooling is legal throughout South Africa, including Free State, under the South African Schools Act (Act 84 of 1996). Parents must register their child for home education with the Free State Department of Education.
The Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act, signed into law in September 2024, updates how home education is regulated. Homeschooling remains legal — always confirm the current requirements with the Free State Department of Education before you apply.
How to register in Free State
In the Free State, home education applications are processed by the Free State Department of Education, through its head office in Bloemfontein and the relevant district offices.
See the full step-by-step registration guide.
How Virtus supports Free State families
Virtus Education provides complete CAPS-aligned learning materials for Grades R to 9 — daily lesson plans, workbooks and assessments. Explore our grade guides or contact us.
Homeschooling in Free State: common questions
- Is homeschooling legal in Free State?
- Yes. Homeschooling is legal throughout South Africa, including Free State, under the South African Schools Act (Act 84 of 1996). Families in Free State must register their child for home education with the Free State Department of Education.
- How do I register for homeschooling in Free State?
- Contact the Free State Department of Education to request the home education application form, complete it for each child, and attach certified copies of the child's birth certificate, the parents' IDs, proof of address and a curriculum outline. In the Free State, home education applications are processed by the Free State Department of Education, through its head office in Bloemfontein and the relevant district offices. Always confirm the current requirements with the department before you apply.
- How much does homeschooling cost in Free State?
- Homeschooling in Free State is usually far more affordable than private school. Virtus Education's CAPS-aligned support starts from R200 per month for Foundation Phase (Grades R-3), R380 for Intermediate Phase (Grades 4-6) and R480 for Senior Phase (Grades 7-9), plus stationery and basic supplies.
- Can my child follow the CAPS curriculum while homeschooling in Free State?
- Yes. Most families in Free State follow CAPS, the national curriculum, because it keeps options open and makes moving between home and school easier. Virtus provides CAPS-aligned learning materials, lesson plans and assessments for Grades R to 9.