Parents can compare curricula, teaching models and support packages to find the right fit. The right questions help parents compare these options and choose a model that suits their child and family.
A strong online presence, with promises of personalised learning, is only one part of the decision. Parents should also understand the teaching model, assessment process, responsibilities and academic pathway.
Before enrolling, families should ask the following five questions.
Homeschooling and online schooling are often lumped together, as though they are the same. However, the day-to-day experience can be very different.
In a homeschooling model, the parent remains primarily responsible for directing and overseeing the child’s education. A curriculum provider may supply lesson material, assessments, facilitator guides, digital tools and access to educational support, but the parent must be closely involved in managing the learning process.
The DBE describes home education as an alternative to public or independent schooling, where a parent educates their child at home. Parents apply to the head of their provincial education department to register their child.
An online school model is usually more teacher-led. Learners may attend scheduled virtual classes, receive direct instruction from teachers, submit work online and follow a timetable managed by the school or education provider.
“Some parents want to take an active role in facilitating their child’s learning, while others need qualified teachers to lead the school day,” says Louise Schoonwinkel, Chief Commercial Officer at Optimi, of which Impaq is a registered trademark. “But it is important that families understand the difference before they enrol.”
Parents should establish whether the curriculum is appropriate for their child’s age, current grade and longer-term education plans.
Impaq provides CAPS, which can support continuity for learners who may later move to a public or independent school or complete their National Senior Certificate.
Parents should ask which subjects are available, whether the learning material covers the full curriculum and whether the content is regularly reviewed and updated. They should also establish whether teaching and learning material is available in the child’s preferred language.
Subject choice becomes particularly important in Grades 10 to 12. Certain subjects include practical assessment tasks, oral assessments or other components beyond written work. Here, a provider should be able to explain these requirements clearly, including any additional assessors, equipment, events or costs that may be involved.
Assessment should be built into the education programme rather than treated as an optional extra. Parents should ask how often learners will complete formal and informal assessments, who will mark the work and how feedback will be provided.
Parents should understand the processes for academic support, missed assessments and mid-year enrolment.
The requirements become more formal in the Further Education and Training (FET) phase, with set deadlines and timetables that must be strictly followed.
Impaq’s Grade 10 to 12 learners are registered with SACAI, an Umalusi-accredited assessment body. Both Impaq’s home school and online school models include formal assessment requirements, prescribed timetables and invigilation rules.
“Parents should be able to see a clear academic pathway from the learner’s current grade to the qualification they hope to achieve,” says Schoonwinkel. “There should be no uncertainty about who conducts the assessments, who issues the reports or what will happen when the learner reaches matric.”
In a homeschooling programme, parents may also need support in their role as facilitators. Useful resources from Impaq, for example, include lesson plans, marking guidance, suggested timetables, progress-tracking tools and advice from educational specialists and qualified teachers.
Parents should confirm whether the fee includes learning materials, delivery, assessment-body registration, practical assessments, examination venues, tutoring and extracurricular activities.
“A family should know where to turn when they have an academic, administrative or technical problem. Support should be part of the learning model, not something parents only discover they need after enrolling,” says Schoonwinkel.
Each learner benefits from an education model that matches their learning habits, daily routine and preferred level of teacher support.
A learner who works independently may enjoy greater control over their schedule. Another may benefit from regular teacher contact, structured deadlines and closer guidance.
Families should also consider how each model fits their daily routine. Homeschooling requires time, consistency and parental involvement. Online schooling may provide more teacher-led structure, but learners still need a suitable workspace, reliable technology and support at home.
Social interaction should form part of the decision too. Parents can ask whether the provider offers clubs, events, outings, competitions or other opportunities to connect with peers. Families can also build social interaction through sport, cultural activities, community organisations and friendship groups outside the formal learning programme.
“Parents should never feel uncomfortable asking detailed questions,” Schoonwinkel concludes. “A reputable provider will welcome informed parents and will be able to explain its curriculum, responsibilities, assessment pathway, costs and support services clearly. The decision is too important to be based on assumptions.”
Taking the time to ask these questions upfront can help families choose an education model that supports both their child's learning and their long-term goals. For more info please visit www.impaq.co.za.
