The Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill was not long ago authorised through the South African Parliament which is now just ready to be signed into law from the President.
The Act will introduce important changes towards the South African Schools Act as well as the Employment of Educators Act to better align with up to date educational requirements and difficulties.
Important provisions of the BELA Bill include:
Compulsory Grade R: The Bill can make it obligatory for kids to start school at Grade R, with official penalties for parents who fail to enroll their small children.
Corporal Punishment: The Bill reinforces the ban on corporal punishment and prohibits other sorts of punishment which could belittle learners.
Language Policy: School governing bodies (SGBs) will continue to determine the language policy of schools, but these policies must be approved by the head of the education department. This aims to ensure that language policies do not discriminate and are inclusive.
Learner Pregnancy: Contrary to some public misconceptions, the Bill does not give schools control over a learner’s decision regarding abortion. It does, website however, address the management of learner pregnancies in schools.