The Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill (BELA Bill) has been passed by the National Assembly. The BELA Bill will amend the South African Schools Act to respond to changing demographics in communities and transform the sector.
The education department said the bill seeks to address administrative hurdles, enhance accountability, and streamline various facets of the education system.
Although it has sparked both support and criticism, its fundamental objective remains resolute: to construct a more inclusive, equitable, and effective basic education system for South Africa's students and educators.
Major Components Of The BELA Bill
Among the amendments in the BELA Bill that sparked much public interest and input, is a provision that Grade R will now be the new compulsory school-starting age and parents who fail to enrol their children for grade R will be formally penalised.
The Bill further confirms that corporal punishment is no longer allowed at school and that those found guilty of such offences must be penalised.
School Governing Bodies (SGB) will now be required to submit the language policy of a public school and any amendment thereof to the head of the department for approval. The language policy must also take into consideration the language needs of the broader community.
The Bill further provides that the South African Sign Language has the status of an official language for purposes of learning at a public school.
The BELA Bill also provides that no person may bring liquor onto the school premises, or have liquor in his or her possession, consume or sell liquor on public school premises, or during any public school activity unless permission has been sought from the Head of Department, and then only under strict conditions.
Before tabling its report today, the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education held extensive public hearings in all nine provinces, received written submissions, and held public hearings at Parliament for interested parties and organisations to make further oral submissions.
The DBE says while the BELA Bill's objectives are rooted in the best interests of learners and educators, it has encountered opposition and misinformation.
They practised some stakeholders who labelled it as an "Abortion Bill" with false claims that it permits teachers to facilitate abortions for pregnant students. The department says it is essential to clarify that the word abortion does not appear in the Bill.
The drivers of such a propaganda are well aware that the termination of pregnancy is contained in the Termination of Pregnancy Act the guardians thereof being the Department of Health which has nothing to do with education.
The department also said misleading statements have also circulated, especially among parents who homeschool their children, falsely suggesting that the Bill infringes on their parental rights and religious beliefs.
It was seen as an attack on the parents’ religious beliefs and the department will force home scholars to do CAPS and arrest those who refuse to comply.
The department said it's unfortunate that misleading statements are driven by politicians for their own political agenda. They argue that the Bill seeks to register homeschooled children for accountability purposes.
