The Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill was recently permitted through the South African Parliament and is now just ready to be signed into legislation with the President.

The Act will introduce important changes into the South African Schools Act plus the Employment of Educators Act to better align with up to date instructional demands and problems.

Vital provisions from the BELA Bill involve:

Compulsory Grade R: The Bill makes it obligatory for youngsters to start school at Grade R, with formal penalties for parents read more who are unsuccessful to enroll their young children​​.

Corporal Punishment: The Bill reinforces the ban on corporal punishment and prohibits other forms 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 click here the head of the education department. This aims to ensure that language policies do not discriminate and check here 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​.