Homeschool, micro-school, learning centre, unregistered private school, low-fee school and cottage school  are names that refer to small independent or private schools that are operated by a small group of entrepreneurs, parents, ex-teachers or volunteers. This fast-growing phenomenon was acknowledged in a 2010 research paper by the Centre for Development and Enterprise, which described it as South Africa’s "hidden asset". This research was followed by a 2012 report with the title "Promoting school choice for the poor" and a 2013 report with the title "Affordable private schools in South Africa".

These types of schools are growing quickly in countries such as India, Pakistan, Chile, Ghana and Colombia, but they also occur in a highly regulated countries such as the Netherlands. In Nepal, Uttam Sanjel, a former actor, started a network of bamboo schools to provide private education to poor children.

A more recent development is boutique schools. These schools are fast replacing the more traditional private schools. Learning is blended, the schools are progressive and the teachers are mentors. Boutique schools are generally bigger than cottage schools and learning centres as they can accommodate up to 50 students, but are still smaller than typical private schools. 

THE LEGAL ENVIRONMENT

Although South African citizens have the constitutional right (article 29(3)) to operate independent or private schools, many of these schools are not registered with the provincial government. According to the report this is because these schools are expected to meet a large number of strict requirements set by officials who have no knowledge of independent or private education. Sometimes it also takes years to register an independent or private school.

Officials at the Department of Education are generally negative about small independent or private schools and view them as “fly by nights” that exploit parents by charging high fees and delivering low quality education. Due to this, the provincial government actively attempts to close down unregistered independent or private schools.

SUPPORT LEARNING CENTRES 

SAHomeschoolers.org supports learning by offering the following services.

• A Private Connect service through which parents can contact unregistered independent or private schools without exposing the details of the organisation.
• The EduComply consulting service that assist learning centres to register learning centre without compromising their character.

COTTAGE SCHOOL LinkedIn GROUP

A LinkedIn group has been created where operators of learning centres can interact with each other.

Important considerations when starting a learning centre ... ... ...

Home school , micro school , learning centre , unregistered private school, low fee school and cottage school are all different terms that are used to refer to a new fast growing phenomenon in the South African educational environment. These are (mostly) small independent or private schools that are operated by a small group of entrepreneurs, parents, ex-teachers or volunteers. If you are interested in starting a learning centre, you can follow the steps below:

1. Engage with EduComply : According to art.29(3) of the constitution, everyone has the right to establish and maintain an independent educational institution that is registered with the state. Unfortunately provincial authorities make it difficult to register by requiring citizens to meet burdensome and illegal requirements. EduComply will provide guidance on how to handle the registration process and how to avoid conflict between the school and the authorities, so that you can focus on getting the learning centre started.
   
   
2. Join the Learning Centre Mailing List : If you are operating a learning centre, or are supporting learning centres, and you want to receive messages from parents searching for a centre, your email address should be added to the Learning Centre Mailing List. In order to get added to this mailing list, please send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This service is offered free of charge. The mailing list is confidential and will not be made available to third parties.