Registration of Independent Schools

According to the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, everyone has the right to establish and maintain, at their own expense, independent educational institutions that:

  • do not discriminate on the basis of race;
  • are registered with the state;
  • maintain standards that are not inferior to standards at comparable public educational institutions.

Provincial education departments (PEDs) are responsible for registering independent schools in their province. PEDs have the responsibility to monitor registered independent schools to ensure they comply with the department’s conditions for registration.

Independent schools offering a South African curriculum must also be be accredited by Umalusi, the quality assurer for general and further education and training.