Keep That Wallet Closed

There’s been a lot of talk about assessments and even more confusion. Some families have been told they must get “competent assessor reports” right away, while others are being encouraged to pay for assessments before anyone knows what is supposed to be in an assessment.

Before you reach for your wallet, pause. The correct approach is simple: keep that wallet closed.

Don’t Assess Unnecessarily

Assessments are only required at the end of a phase, not every year. You do not need to do an assessment before registering, and you do not need to send one when you notify the department to continue homeschooling in the next phase. Those are two seperate end-of-phase activities.

In summary:

• Register once. You register when you start homeschooling.

• Assessment is not required every year.

• Notify at the end of each phase i.e. Grade 3, Grade 6 and Grade 9. You simply inform the department that you’re continuing — no fresh registration is required. What is happening at the end of Grade 9 is not clear at the moment.

• Assess only at the end of the phase. When registered home education is based on phases, not annual school terms. This system gives families the time and flexibility to focus on learning rather than paperwork.

Why You Shouldn’t Be Paying for Assessments in 2025

The simple truth is that the system for formal assessments is not yet ready. While regulations will be developed to implement the BELA Act, the necessary groundwork has not been completed.

At this stage:

• No final framework exists. The rules and regulations that would determine how assessments are to be conducted have not been developed, approved or published.

• No official guidance has been issued. Neither the national Department of Basic Education nor the provincial departments have released implementation circulars or notices explaining what families are expected to do.

• No administrative structure is in place. There are no published lists of competent assessors, no designated forms, and no proper systems through which results could be submitted or recorded. This is sensitive data that can't just use email systems and "live" on officals laptops that can get lost or stolen.

• Many families do not have registration numbers. Large numbers of homeschoolers are still waiting for registration numbers and certificates, which makes any request for assessments premature.

  
  

In short, the legal and administrative foundation for assessments simply does not exist. Until these issues are formally addressed and publicly communicated, there is no lawful or workable basis for conducting assessments in 2025.

A Practical and Balanced Approach

Homeschooling families are often under pressure to provide “proof” at every turn. The best protection is knowledge — knowing what the law actually requires and what it does not.

If your curriculum or online provider offers assessment tools or reports free of charge request them if you wish and keep them until the assessment picture becomes clearer.

Focus on learning, not pointless paperwork and certainly not on unnecessary expenses.