EduComply Services

EduComply is a initiative dedicated to helping small and independent schools comply with regulatory requirements without compromising educational freedom. Drawing from the rich diversity and innovation of the home education sector, EduComply helps schools navigate complex registration and accreditation processes — always with the best interests of the child at heart.

Navigating Registration with Confidence

Starting or formalizing an independent school can be daunting. The registration and accreditation process spans multiple regulatory layers — from municipal zoning to provincial registration and UMALUSI accreditation.

With over two decades of experience in legal defence, education policy, and civic engagement, EduComply offers schools a uniquely integrated compliance service that simplifies the process and safeguards your educational vision.

Our Services

Zoning and Municipal Compliance

• Guidance in securing appropriate land use approvals (e.g. "Place of Instruction") from your local municipality.
• Leverage of longstanding relationships with town planners, municipal officials, and building inspectors, built through years of civic leadership in the Milnerton and Cape Town Collective Residents Associations.
• Innovative problem-solving for typical zoning and compliance challenges faced by small schools.

Registration with Provincial Education Departments

• Step-by-step guidance through the application process to register as an independent school.
• Assistance in crafting policy-aligned submissions that still reflect your school’s unique philosophy and learner needs.
• Practical insight gained from helping multiple schools secure registration across provinces via the Pestalozzi Trust.

Accreditation with UMALUSI

• End-to-end support in preparing for and achieving UMALUSI accreditation.
• Help in aligning Montessori, Cambridge, faith-based, or other alternative curricula with the UMALUSI framework — without compromising your educational identity.

Alternative and Specialised Curricula Support

• Extensive experience with schools that do not follow CAPS or cater to niche learner communities.
• Help with documenting and presenting your educational model to regulators in a compliant and strategic manner.
• Advocacy for the educational freedom of your institution within the bounds of current legislation.
• Optional visibility through SAHomeschoolers.Org to a targeted audience of like-minded families and educators.

Why Choose EduComply?

• Legal and Strategic Expertise:
  Bouwe van der Eems, founder of EduComply, served as trustee and chairman of the Pestalozzi Trust for 22 years, defending the rights of small schools and home educators.
• Policy and Regulatory Knowledge:
  Author of regulatory studies for DieMOS and advisor to schools navigating legal uncertainty.
• Trusted Advocate and Liaison:
  Decades of experience working with provincial departments, municipalities, and education stakeholders.
• Political and Legislative Experience:
  Direct involvement in the drafting and enacting of the BELA Bill and related regulations — giving EduComply unmatched insight into current and upcoming policy frameworks.

Towards compliance and recognition

Every school is different, and the journey to registration can look different too. EduComply can’t promise the same result for everyone — but what we do promise is expert guidance, support, and a clear pathway through the process.

Whether you’re starting a cottage school, building a faith-based initiative, or running an innovative new model, EduComply will walk alongside you toward compliance and recognition, without compromising your values.

To register an independent school is a unpredictable process that can span over a long period. For this reason the service is structured as follows:

• A free initial consultation in which the situation is assessed and next steps are identified.
• Based on the situation assessment, a quotation will be provided based on an hourly rate billed on a monthly basis.
• Once the quotation is accepted, EduComply will guide the process until successful registration is accomplished.

If you are interested in this service, send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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