The Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill was not too long ago approved with the South African Parliament and is particularly now just waiting to become signed into law by the President.
The Act will introduce considerable variations to the South African Schools Act and also the Employment of Educators Act to better align with up to date educational requirements and difficulties.
Important provisions in the BELA Bill incorporate:
Compulsory Grade R: The Bill makes it necessary for children to get started on school at Grade R, with formal penalties for parents who fail to enroll their kids.
Corporal Punishment: The Bill reinforces the ban on corporal punishment and prohibits other forms read more of punishment that will 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, however, address the management of learner pregnancies in schools.