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.

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