BELA Bill summary

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Have your say on the BELA Bill

Breakdown per Province

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Public comments as delivered to the NCOP

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IN THE MEDIA

BusinessTech — New laws for schools in South Africa get the green light – despite objections
BusinessTech — New laws for schools in South Africa – the clock is ticking
Daily Investor — South African education crisis – only 55% of teachers can perform at grade 4 level
Daily Voice — WCED can’t build 11 new schools
News24 — Thousands yet to apply as the Western Cape Education Department ‘explore all available options’
BusinessTech — New laws for schools in South Africa take another big step
News24 — National budget cuts force Western Cape Education Department to tighten belt
News24 — Problem children: Free State schools record 65 000 misconduct cases in 5 months
News24 — Class rate: Western Cape schools are full for 2024, but more than 1 500 pupils still need placement
IOL — WCED fighting tooth and nail to place learners for 2024 school year despite budget cuts
SundayWorld — Uproar over delayed R500m boarding school project in Mkhondo
Maroelamedia — Kommer oor 88 000 tienerswangerskappe in een jaar
CapeTalk — SA’s education system in complete ruins. Requires total transformation
GroundUP — Hundreds of early childhood development sector workers march in Manguang
Je’anna Clements — The Busy-Busy (Sneaky-Sneaky) BELA Bill
GroundUP — “Fix our schools” activists tell Minister as deadline passes
Daily Maverick — Call it what it is — the SA education system is in complete ruins
BBC News — Bela bill: South Africans face jail if children not in school
News24 — Alcohol sale, admissions, language policy – all you need to know about the BELA Bill
Geaorge Herald — BELA BILL RAISES MANY CONCERNS
The Island Online — Bela bill: South Africans face jail if children not in school
News24 — Passing a motion: New school Bill clears first legislative hurdle
News24 — FRIDAY BRIEFING | SA’s education crisis: Does the BELA Bill miss the mark?
BusinessTech – New laws for schools in South Africa ready to take the next step
News24 – Controversial basic education bill’s processing delayed due to ‘challenges’ with public hearings
Parliament of SA – Media Statement: Management of Learner Pregnancy Provokes Contrasting Views on Bela Bill in Kimberley
Sowetan – Mixed views on Bela Bill during public hearings in KZN
IOL – Closing or merging small schools will increase drop-out rate, Northern Cape parents speak on BELA Bill
Voice of The Cape – Education expert explains BELA Bill
George Herald – BELA BILL RAISES MANY CONCERNS
Pestalozzi Trust – The BELA Bill and your small school
Daily Maverick – Proposed changes to the law will effectively outlaw home education in its current form
George Herald – Keen Interest In Bela Bill Progress
Starting Homeschooling – BELA Bill – Info for Home Educators

The Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill (BELA) Bill remains the subject of major debate. Until now, School Governing Bodies have had the leeway to develop their schools’ admission and language policies but the BELA Bill requires that they submit these policies to provincial departments for approval. An academic, Professor Brahm Fleisch from the Wits School of Education has asked whether the bill will really address South Africa’s learning crisis.

The BELA Bill has some important changes coming that will affect homeschoolers. Let us unpack.
Join us on this amazing journey of Homesteading Homeschooling, Homemaking in a South African Township

Parliament has passed the Basic Education Law Amendment Bill through a unanimous vote. Now the Bill will go to the National Council of Provinces for a consideration. Opposition parties who held protests outside the parliamentary precinct rejecting the amendments are planning to launch a court bid. eNCA’s Nobesuthu Hejana reports

The National Assembly has passed the Basic Education Laws Amendment. The bill will see parents or guardians face jail time if their children are not enrolled when they reach school age. The controversial bill has been rejected by most parties. Education specialist, Prof. Mary Metcalfe, unpacks this.

The Education Laws Amendment Bill (BELAB) was presented in the General Assembly of Parliament on Thursday, October 26, where it was debated and subsequently voted on. FEDSAS was present in person, and Dr Jaco Deacon will provide feedback.
• What happened with BELA Bill in parliament on the October 26?
• How does it affect the 2024 SGB elections and training?
• What should schools and governing bodies do now?

Education in South Africa is taking a significant step forward as the Bela Bill, which outlaws physical punishment in schools, comes into effect. This new legislation prohibits the use of corporal punishment in educational institutions, reinforcing the country’s commitment to promoting a safe and conducive learning environment for students.

In South Africa’s province of Eastern Cape, many students are having to learn in overcrowded classrooms because there aren’t enough schools. The governing African National Congress says it’s trying to improve conditions in poor communities – but it’s proving difficult to make progress. Al Jazeera’s Haru Mutasa reports from Stutterheim, South Africa

SUMMARY

The Bill proposes to amend the South African Schools Act, 1996 (Act No. 84 of 1996), and the Employment of Educators Act, 1998 (Act No. 76 of 1898) (the SASA and the EEA, respectively), so as to align them with developments in the education landscape and to ensure that systems of learning are put in place in a manner which gives effect to the right to basic education enshrined in section 29(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996.

Amongst others, the Bill seeks to amend certain definitions; to provide that attendance of Grade R is compulsory, and to provide for system improvements in terms of admission of learners to public schools. It also provides for financial and public accountability frameworks for governing bodies and provincial departments.

The Bill further provides for additional Regulatory powers of the Minister, and enhancing decision making and oversight powers of Heads of Departments and Members of the Executive Councils.

The Bill also proposes technical and substantive adjustments, clarify certain existing provisions, insert provisions which are not provided for in existing legislation and strengthen enforcement mechanisms for offences and penalties.

Memorandum of Objects and Clause by Clause analysis