The Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill was a short while ago permitted through the South African Parliament and is now just waiting around to become signed into legislation by the President.

The Act will introduce substantial adjustments on the South African Schools Act and the Employment of Educators Act to better align with contemporary academic demands and challenges.

Key provisions of the BELA Bill involve:

Compulsory Grade R: The Bill makes it required for youngsters to start out school at Grade R, with formal penalties for folks who fail to enroll their kids​​.

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

Learner Pregnancy: Contrary to read more 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​.