“Wait, Do I Have to Test My Kid?” Demystifying Home Education Assessment in South Africa

Assessment in home education in South Africa

If I had a Rand for every time a new home educating parent looked me square in the eyes and whispered in panic, “But how do I know they’re actually learning?”, I’d be able to buy enough printer ink to last us all year.

Assessment in home education is often treated like a distant cousin no one wants to invite to the braai. It’s misunderstood, overcomplicated and usually shrouded in fear. But here’s the truth: assessing your child at home doesn’t have to feel like trying to decipher ancient hieroglyphics. In fact, it can be one of the most empowering parts of your home education journey if you understand the what, why and how.

So let’s unpack this. No jargon. No clipboard vibes. Just the honest, realistic and slightly humorous truth from one  home educating mama to another.

The Not-So-Secret Purpose Behind Home Education Assessment

You’re not assessing to torture your child or recreate school at home. You’re doing it to:

• Track progress: Has your child grasped fractions or are they still convinced ¾ is just too many slices missing?

• Spot gaps: Did your science unit on the digestive system mysteriously skip everything below the oesophagus?

• Provide feedback: It’s helpful for your child to know why their persuasive essay didn’t quite convince you to get another dog.

• Meet legal requirements: The BELA Bill and Home Education Policy make it clear that you need to keep records of learning, including assessment evidence.

You don’t need to run a mini Umalusi from your lounge, but you do need to assess meaningfully and keep proof. The great news? You can do this your way.

Storytime: 

It’s Already Happening – You Just Didn’t Know It

I had a chat with a mom recently (and yes, consultations are free with Livi Education), and her fear of assessment – the trauma it inadvertently caused her – was seeping into her environment. Her child was starting to dread any form of “evaluation” because of the emotional weight she unknowingly carried.

A gentle approach was needed.

So I asked her, “If you ask your child to make their bed in the morning and, like me, you have a teenager, so you check the bed afterwards, are you not assessing?” She paused.

Then I asked, “When your daughter tells you about a movie she just watched and you listen, ask questions, respond – is that not assessment too?”

She smiled. That’s when it clicked.

You see, we assess on a daily basis. We just don’t label it as such. The trick is to make assessment a step in the educational journey, not the finish line. It’s not about judgement. It’s about understanding.

We need to give ourselves the peace to recognise that assessment is simply a tool to identify what’s still a bit fuzzy and revisit it. To teach our children that it’s okay to forget. It’s okay to try again. That failure isn’t a full stop, it’s an invitation to be curious.

5 Real Ways to Assess Your Child Without Losing Your Mind

Let’s get practical. Here’s how home education assessment can actually work in your everyday life:

1. Portfolio of Evidence

Keep samples of work in a physical or digital file – drawings, stories, maths exercises, photos of science experiments and so on. Add your comments, dates and reflection notes. This becomes gold when PEDs ask for proof of learning.

2. End-of-Term Assessments

Set a test, project or oral presentation that summarises the term’s work. It doesn’t have to be an exam hall scenario, just structured and meaningful.

3. Observation

Watch how your child applies knowledge during everyday activities. Can they explain the water cycle while watering the garden? That counts.

4. Self-Assessment Rubrics

Let your child reflect on their work. “What did I enjoy?” “What was tricky?” “What am I proud of?” This builds metacognition and ownership.

5. External Assessments

Use SACE-registered teachers to mark and moderate assessments, especially for record-keeping and peace of mind. Livi Education & Raising Identity offers this with a gentle, child-centred approach – no test trauma included.

Wow, Has This phrase Done the Rounds: 

What Is a Competent Assessor?

Let’s get this straight – there’s a lot of noise around the phrase competent assessor in home education right now. And understandably so.

To put it simply, a competent assessor is someone who:

• Holds a qualification in education

• Is registered with SACE (South African Council for Educators)

Bonus points if they also hold a diploma as an accredited assessor. This means they’ve been specifically trained to set, conduct and evaluate assessments in a formal, structured way.

But what does that actually mean for you, the home educator?

Here’s where it gets real. In home education, a competent assessor isn’t just someone ticking off CAPS checkboxes. With all the curriculum options available – CAPS, Cambridge, eclectic, Montessori, Charlotte Mason – you need someone who can:

• Adapt assessments for any curriculum

• Set fair and accessible tasks based on your child’s individual needs

• Include a mix of assessment types: projects, oral tasks, presentations, portfolios and reflections

• Align all of it to the minimum requirements of the DBE while still respecting your unique approach to education

A truly competent assessor in home education doesn’t force your child into a standardised box. They make the box fit your child. That’s what we aim for at Livi Education – compliance and child empowerment.

At Livi Education, we try our utmost to accommodate every educational possibility. We thrive on honesty and integrity, and our main goal is to help every child flourish. If we aren’t the right fit, we will guide you, advise you and refer you to someone who is. We’ve also partnered with Raising Identity, led by Wendy Hendrickse, who brings an outstanding scope of knowledge on many, if not all, curriculum models. She deeply understands individualised learning needs, and many of our other curriculum consultations are channelled through her expert care.

So, The Big Question: How Do I Choose an Assessor?

Ah yes. This one comes up almost weekly. The short answer? You ask questions – lots of them. Choosing the right assessor for home education isn’t about ticking a box, it’s about trusting someone to walk part of your educational journey with you and your child.

Here’s a checklist that’ll help you separate the wheat from the WhatsApps:

• Ask for their SACE certificate. Any competent assessor must be registered with the South African Council for Educators. You can even email SACE directly to verify if the registration is valid.

(Word of caution: SACE has had some administrative hiccups lately. A few teachers were wrongly deactivated and reactivation has become an Olympic sport, so double-check kindly.)

• What qualification do they hold?

Is it a BEd degree, a diploma in education or something else? This helps you gauge whether they’re trained to assess across different phases and subjects.

• Experience matters.

Ask how many years they’ve been in education. Do they only know classroom-based CAPS or do they understand the flexible, messy, brilliant world of home education?

• If you’re using a curriculum other than CAPS, ask them how familiar they are with it. Cambridge, Montessori and Charlotte Mason all require different assessment approaches.

• Do they have a team?

If yes, do they have an official assessment policy? A real one, not a vague “we just check things” statement. Ask about their process. Is there moderation? Feedback? Are assessments adapted per child?

• And the golden question:

“How can you help my child with their individualised needs?”

If they can’t answer this, keep scrolling. Home education is personalised by nature. Your assessor needs to understand how to support your child, not just tick standards off a list.

FAQ Time: Because Everyone’s Asking…

Q: Do I need to use a registered teacher to assess my child at home?

A: For general day-to-day learning, no. But for phase-end assessments (Grades 3, 6 and 9) and for meeting some provincial requirements, it’s recommended and often required that a SACE-registered teacher conduct formal assessments.

Q: Can I assess creatively, or must everything be written tests?

A: Absolutely yes. Home education assessments can include oral presentations, project work, video submissions, drawings, mind maps and real-life applications. The key is matching the method to the skill being assessed.

Q: How often should I assess?

A: A balanced mix of formative (ongoing) and summative (end-of-unit or term) assessments is ideal. You don’t need weekly tests, but regular checks are essential for tracking learning.

Q: Who checks the assessments? Me or someone else?

A: For informal and formative assessments, you can mark and reflect. For formal assessments (especially at the end of a phase or academic year), use a competent assessor for credibility and compliance.

What Actually Counts as “Valid” Assessment in South Africa?

According to the Home Education Policy (2018) and BELA Bill (2024), the Department of Basic Education expects:

• Regular assessment of progress

• Evidence of the curriculum being followed

• Assessment records kept for at least three years

• Phase-end assessments conducted by a competent assessor

That means your Grade 3, 6 or 9 child needs a more formal assessment at the end of that phase. Other grades should still be assessed meaningfully, but you have more freedom.

You must be able to show that your child is receiving education “not inferior to that of public schools.” Assessment records help prove this. It also means you need to store:

• Marked work or rubrics

• Assessment tools (tests, rubrics, checklists)

• Term or year-end reports

• Photos or videos as evidence

• Attendance and work schedules

Spoiler alert: It sounds like a lot, but it becomes second nature once you build it into your routine. And if you need help – Livi Education & Raising Identity has systems for that.

Let’s Get Honest: 

What Doesn’t Work

• Copying public school assessments word-for-word. They’re designed for classrooms, not kitchens.

• Skipping assessment altogether. You’ll hit panic mode when the district office comes knocking.

• Testing for testing’s sake. Your child doesn’t need to write a formal test on fractions every time. Mix it up.

• Making it a power struggle. Assessment should never feel like a punishment. If your child cries over a worksheet, reassess your assessment. Literally.

Where to Get Support with Home Education Assessment in South Africa

You don’t have to DIY everything. These are your options:

• Support groups – Facebook- and Whatsapp groups often share ideas and tools.

• Livi Education’s Assessment Service – We offer customised assessments, feedback and moderation by competent, SACE-registered teachers. Think child-centred, non-intimidating, thorough.

• Raising Identity: Expert advice on personalising a curriculum to your child’s needs.

• Curriculum providers – Some offer built-in assessments. Just check if they align with CAPS and DBE standards.

• DBE and PED portals – They occasionally release assessment guidelines and templates.

Reflect and Connect: 

What Would You Like Assessment to Feel Like?

Here’s your chance to reflect.

Ask yourself:

What do I want assessment to feel like in our home?

– A tick-box exercise?

– A source of stress?

– Or a meaningful tool to celebrate growth?

Drop your thoughts in the comments or on our Facebook page. We’d love to hear your take.

Final Thoughts and One Strong Cup of Coffee

Assessment in home education isn’t about mimicking school. It’s about understanding your child’s growth, documenting learning for legal compliance and helping them flourish on their own terms.

Whether you use projects, videos or good old pencil and paper, what matters is that your child is learning and you can prove it.

So breathe. Make your coffee. Laugh when the dog eats the portfolio cover. And remember, you’re not just ticking boxes, you’re shaping a whole human being.

And in case no one told you today – you’re doing an incredible job.