After the release of the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill of 2021, many misinterpreted certain aspects of the bill, particularly concerning the “sale of alcohol” on school premises.
The Department of Basic Education has stated that Minister Angie Motshekga supports ZERO tolerance against alcohol at schools.
However, many schools do sell alcohol during certain fundraising events and alcohol is sometimes consumed on school premises when the school has hired out their hall for a wedding or private function.
“It is for these purposes that Minister [Motshekga] is seeking to regulate the possession, consumption and sale of alcohol at schools,” read the statement.
In 2013 the process to amend the Basic Education Laws began and countless consultation sessions have taken place with all stakeholders at every stage and phase of the amendments.
The Bill which was published a week ago is an outcome of many years of deliberations and a public participation process.
The statement clarifies that alcohol may not be sold, possessed or consumed on school premises during school hours, however, the amendment makes provision for certain exceptions such as private functions or fundraising events.
At these events, alcohol may be served to adult guests and not learners.
The regulations clearly state that learners are not allowed to sell, buy or consume alcohol and there will be no drinking in the presence of learners.
Minister Angie Motshekga has encouraged South Africans to read the Amendment Bill carefully and not to trust misleading and false interpretations currently circulating on social media.
Click here to read the full statement.
Setting the record straight on the BELA BILL as published by @DBE_SA Minister Motshekga in a government gazette a week ago @dbe_tv @dbetvnews pic.twitter.com/0zaXIxJp54
— Elijah Mhlanga (@ElijahMhlanga) December 15, 2021
