Allexer Namundjembo
The Home-Schooling Association of Namibia (HSAN) says it has never presented itself as a regulatory body or a registering or approving authority. It also says it does not act as an oversight or inspection body, nor is it a school or private education institution.
Responding to questions sent by the Windhoek Observer on Monday, HSAN said it has also never presented itself as a substitute for the Ministry of Education or as a school in any way, type or form.
“The media release correctly states that only the Ministry has the legal mandate to regulate, approve, and oversee education in Namibia. HSAN fully acknowledges and respects this mandate,” the association said.
HSAN said suggestions that it operates outside the law are factually inaccurate when measured against what it actually does.
“HSAN exists as a support and community association, not a regulator. Its role is to provide information and guidance to families on trusted homeschooling options, create a community network for parents, tutors, learners, and centres, promote accurate understanding of homeschooling laws and responsibilities, act as a collective voice against misinformation and confusion and support families so they can make informed, trusted educational decisions,” it said.
The association added that these functions are not prohibited under the Basic Education Act, 2020 and do not amount to regulation, approval, or oversight.
“We further wish to state that we had meetings with MOE to ensure full collaboration between both MOE and HSAN and with our last meeting in October 2024, the minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture, Sanet Steenkamp, in person identified board members within the Ministry to assist us in continuing our operations,” HSAN said.
It said a contradiction arises when warnings against organisations acting as regulators are applied to an association that does not perform regulatory functions. HSAN said it views this as a direct form of victimisation against the association.
The response follows a statement issued last week by the Ministry of Education, through its executive director, Mbumba Haitengela.
The ministry had said that HSAN is not recognised as a regulatory, coordinating, advisory, or oversight body for homeschooling in Namibia, including in the Erongo region.
The ministry said it is concerned about unregistered entities presenting themselves as education regulators.
It noted that this is particularly evident in Erongo, where some parents and groups are seeking alternative homeschooling arrangements outside government approval.
Under the Basic Education Act, 2020 (Act No. 3 of 2020) and the Basic Education Regulations, 2023, the ministry is the sole authority mandated to regulate, approve, and monitor all forms of basic education in Namibia, including homeschooling.
The regulations set out how parents may apply directly to the ministry to register their children for homeschooling, with clear procedures and conditions for approval.
“In terms of the Basic Education Act, 2002, as amended and now embodied in the Basic Education Act, 2020, the Ministry is the sole authority mandated to regulate and oversee all forms of education in Namibia, approve and monitor homeschooling, register, regulate and ensure compliance of private education institutions, and protect the rights, safety, and educational well-being of all learners,” Haitengela said.
He added that HSAN, while a registered non-profit organisation that provides support, resources, and community for homeschooling families, has no legal authority to regulate, control, or approve homeschooling under the statutory education framework.
HSAN’s own documentation, the ministry said, shows that it operates as a non-profit association supporting member families, offering guidance and curriculum resources, and providing a community network for homeschoolers.
“Any representation or suggestion that HSAN serves as a regulatory body is incorrect and should be disregarded by the public,” Haitengela said.
The ministry said parents who wish to homeschool their children must apply directly to the ministry for approval and comply with conditions set out in the regulations to ensure programmes meet standards comparable to state schools.
Failure to register constitutes non-compliance with the Act.
