LISTEN: 'More parents opting for home schooling'
The Pestalozzi Trust, an organisation for parents who are home schooling their children, says it has been inundated with requests from parents.
This comes after the Department of Basic Education announced on Tuesday that schools will reopen in phases from June 1
Grade 7 and 12 pupils will be the first to return to their desks.
Minister Angie Motshekga confirmed that other grades will follow gradually over a period of time.
But many parents are anxious about taking their children back to school as the number of coronavirus infections continues to climb.
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"There has been a tremendous interest in homeschooling and the Pestalozzi Turst's phone line has been very busy, during the lockdown, especially during the last few days it has become very busy," says the organisation’s chairperson Bouwer van der Eem.
He warns that permanent homeschooling is not a simple process.
"If you want to do home education in the long term then there are many options and one must take their time to explore what fits their family best. But some parents want to homeschool this year and go back to school in 2021, then there is no use in exploring all the available options."
Van der Eem says the organisation is currently in discussion with the government to simplify the registration process for parents who want to switch to homeschooling on a permanent basis.