The Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill was a short while ago authorised via the South African Parliament which is now just waiting around to become signed into legislation from the President.

The Act will introduce major improvements into the South African Schools Act as well as Employment of Educators Act to better align with present-day academic needs and challenges.

Vital provisions in the BELA Bill consist of:

Compulsory Grade R: The Bill can make it required for kids to get started on school at Grade R, with formal penalties for parents who fall short to enroll their kids​​.

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