President Cyril Ramaphosa will officially sign the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill into law on Friday, during a ceremony at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. The legislation aims to improve governance within South Africa’s education sector.
The BELA Bill introduces several key changes, including making Grade R the compulsory starting age for schooling, enforcing penalties for parents who fail to ensure their children attend school, and reaffirming the ban on corporal punishment with strict penalties for violations.
According to the Presidency, the amendments update the South African Schools Act of 1996 and the Employment of Educators Act of 1998, reflecting recent legal rulings that support the Bill of Rights.
The amendments are a response to court judgments that protect and give effect to the Bill of Rights.
Former Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga praised the passing of the BELA Bill, calling it a "watershed moment" for South African education. The bill passed with 223 votes in favour and 78 against.
Motshekga dismissed claims that the bill undermines school autonomy or limits parental rights, labelling it as "lies" spread by parties with vested interests. She stressed that the Bill is designed to balance SGB authority with the oversight of provincial education heads to ensure fairness and inclusivity.
One key provision of the bill is ensuring that schools support pregnant learners, without interfering in personal decisions. Motshekga also clarified that the bill has no mention of abortion.
The minister confirmed that SGBs will set admissions policies, with the Department of Education only stepping in when discrimination occurs. They highlighted the extensive public input that shaped the bill, including almost 5,000 public comments and over 140 petitions.
The BELA Bill aims to improve school governance , promote fairness in policies, and protect students' constitutional right to education.
