New Rules for Schools in South Africa
The National Assembly has approved the amended Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill. It will now be sent to President Cyril Ramaphosa for final approval.
The bill was approved by the NA. It was reviewed by the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education on Wednesday (15 May). Changes from the National Council of Provinces were accepted.
The NCOP adopted the bill on Tuesday (14 May) after deferring the bill last week on a technicality.
All provinces except the Western Cape adopted the passed bill, the amended D-bill.
Provinces raised important concerns about language and admission policies in the bill. This led to changes in the laws by the Select Committee on Education and Technology, Sport, Arts, and Culture.
This led to the D-bill, which the National Assembly has now passed and sent to Ramaphosa for assent.
Some of the major changes coming to schools in the D-Bill include:
- Schools can create their own language and admission policies, but the Department of Basic Education has the final decision.
- Overseeing different facets of school administration bodies;
- Implementing Grade R as the new mandatory age to start school;
- Making it a criminal offense for parents who fail to guarantee their children's school attendance;
- Regulating home education;
- Affirming the prohibition on physical discipline.
The upcoming laws are mainly focused on language and admission policies. These issues have received strong opposition from school groups and opposition parties.
The DA disagreed with the bill and made some changes to it in committee meetings and in the National Assembly.
Schools can now determine their own admission and language policies. However, they must still obtain approval from the provincial heads of department (HODs).
The bill says HODs must consult with schools and communities before making any changes. However, they have the final authority to disapprove and change these policies.
The DA believes that the BELA Bill gives too much power to unelected bureaucrats. This takes away control from parents, educators, and local governing bodies in shaping education in their communities.
Union Solidarity and other opponents of the bill may take legal action if it becomes law.
The union declared on Thursday that the National Assembly's approval marked the beginning of a legal fight against the legislations.
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