Could educating your child from home be a better fit? Let’s unpack – as well as explore how life insurance fits in.
If you’ve been wondering whether home-schooling your child might be for the best, you’re not alone. Homeschooling is gaining popularity in South Africa for a variety of reasons, including feeling unsatisfied with the traditional education system and a desire for a curriculum that’s tailored to their child’s needs and interests. After all, if your child finds learning about geography incredibly dull, why not fill that gap with computer science?
What Are The Legalities Around Homeschooling In South Africa?
Homeschooling has been recognised in our country since 1996 by the South African Schooling Act. Still, it requires that you register your children for education at home via your provincial department of education. They’ll want to see regular proof of your child’s progress, so you’ll need to keep a record of certain things, like their work, attendance record and timetables. You can follow any curriculum that meets the minimum requirements of the national one but your child’s progress must be measured by competent assessors registered with the South African Council for Educators.
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Homeschooling?
There are many pros regarding homeschooling. These include one-on-one teaching, flexibility and time-saving. As an example, if your child is easily grasping a particular concept, you can simply move on and dedicate more time to something they find more challenging. They’ll also get to enjoy a safe learning environment and even better bonding with you – assuming you’ve taken on the role of teacher and haven’t hired a tutor.
Naturally, there are cons to homeschooling too. A recent survey by Cambrilearn, a popular online school based in Sandton, revealed that the main challenge for parents of home-schooled children is finding suitable socialisation opportunities. This is why it’s important to involve your child in extracurricular activities, be it a dance class or karate lessons, so they can mix and mingle with their peers.
Is Homeschooling Less Expensive Than Traditional Education?
Yes, as it turns out, it is generally less expensive to homeschool your child than it is to send them to a school. Public school fees range between R30 000 to R60 000 a year. The cost of homeschooling will depend on whether you decide to take on the role of teacher or outsource it to a homeschooling curriculum provider but these fees range between R6 000 and R30 000. You’ll also be saving money on things like school fees, uniforms, transport, lunch boxes and other typical expenses that come along with public school.
The Life Insurance Connection
Whether you choose to home-school your child or not is a decision that rests with you, but either way, an education will cost money. This is why life insurance is such a valuable tool when it comes to ensuring your child’s education is financially secure. With a life insurance policy, you can rest assured that, even in the event of your passing, your loved ones will receive a lump sum payout that can cover tuition fees, textbooks and any other costs associated with schooling your children.
Ultimately, it’s not just life insurance – it’s peace of mind that regardless of what the future holds, your child’s dreams and aspirations can be unlocked via the education they deserve.
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