The Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill was lately authorized via the South African Parliament and is also now just ready being signed into law with the President.

The Act will introduce sizeable alterations into the South African Schools Act and also the Employment of Educators Act to better align with up to date academic wants and troubles.

Crucial provisions of your BELA Bill include:

Compulsory Grade R: The Bill makes it mandatory for children to get started on school at Grade R, with formal penalties for parents who are unsuccessful to enroll their little ones​​.

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 click here 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​.