The Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill was not long ago permitted through the South African Parliament and is now just waiting around to become signed into legislation from the President.
The Act will introduce sizeable improvements for the South African Schools Act as well as Employment of Educators Act to better align with up to date instructional requirements and troubles.
Key provisions on the BELA Bill involve:
Compulsory Grade R: The Bill makes it obligatory for youngsters to start school at Grade R, with formal penalties for parents who fall short to enroll their small children.
Corporal Punishment: The Bill reinforces the ban on corporal punishment and prohibits other kinds of punishment that may belittle learners.
Language Policy: School governing bodies (SGBs) will continue to determine the language policy of check here 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, however, address the management of learner pregnancies in schools.