This article was written on 8 October 2024. The relevance of the contents may change within a short time frame, as aspects of the commencement date of the BELA Act become clearer in the near future.
Disclaimer - The article is not intended as legal advice. Always get legal advice for your family’s situation if you need it.

Many Parents Feel Conflicted

Many parents feel conflicted about the BELA Act and the registration requirements for home educators. Gut feelings, vagueness of the law and the current 'climate' are valid considerations. As fellow home educators, we at Footprints, have fought against restrictive legislation that impacts educational freedom for many years and so we understand these disturbing feelings. We offer information to help unsettled parents make well-considered, decisions so that you can focus on what’s most important to you - your family and your children.

Below is an email from a very worried mother, who feels threatened by the BELA Act. Her email has been shortened for the sake of brevity:

First I want to say that I was so grateful for your YouTube video with Bouwe van Der Eems on the registration dilemma. I am one of those moms sitting in my house feeling like I have this huge sword over my head so to speak.

I have homeschooled for 14 years now, my older 2 daughters are 21 and almost 24…My baby has just turned 13 and has never been to school.

Although I know home education works, this BELA Act has made me feel as insecure as a first time homeschooler. I really don't want to register or rather apply for registration as I am afraid what rights I will be signing away. I have no faith in politicians and government officials. I'm not sure that I can write a motivational letter that will satisfy an official.

There almost seems to be a lot of pressure, even from the Pestalozzi Trust to register so I'm just feeling so unsettled at the moment.

I don't know whether my message makes sense but you two ladies are very calming voices in this storm of dissenting voices and views at the moment.

Read our reply: Is the BELA Act a Sword over Your Head