The Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill was just lately accredited via the South African Parliament and is now just waiting for being signed into law through the President.
The Act will introduce important modifications on the South African Schools Act plus the Employment of Educators Act to better align with modern day academic wants and problems.
Crucial provisions from the BELA Bill consist of:
Compulsory Grade R: The Bill can make it obligatory for youngsters to get started on school at Grade R, with official penalties for parents who are unsuccessful to enroll their small children.
Corporal Punishment: The Bill reinforces the ban on corporal punishment and prohibits other kinds of punishment that 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 more info abortion. It does, however, address the management of learner pregnancies in schools.