The Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill was not too long ago approved from the South African Parliament and it is now just waiting being signed into law because of the President.

The Act will introduce sizeable modifications into the South African Schools Act plus the Employment of Educators Act to better align with contemporary educational demands and problems.

Key provisions from the BELA Bill include:

Compulsory Grade R: The Bill can make it required for youngsters to start out school at Grade R, with formal penalties for parents who are unsuccessful to enroll their youngsters​​.

Corporal Punishment: The Bill reinforces the ban on corporal punishment and prohibits other sorts of punishment which could belittle learners​.

Language Policy: School governing bodies (SGBs) will continue to determine the language policy of schools, but these policies must bela bill 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 some public misconceptions, the Bill does not give schools control over a learner’s decision regarding abortion. It does, however, address the management website of learner pregnancies in schools​.