![](https://www.careersportal.co.za/sites/default/files/images/Ryan%20Cloete/Children-in-class_0.jpg)
The Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill was not long ago authorised through the South African Parliament which is now just ready to be signed into law from the President.
The Act will introduce considerable changes for the South African Schools Act as well as the Employment of Educators Act to better align with modern day academic wants and troubles.
Essential provisions on the BELA Bill incorporate:
Compulsory Grade R: The Bill causes it to be mandatory for youngsters to start out school at Grade R, with formal penalties for folks who fall short to enroll their youngsters.
Corporal Punishment: The Bill reinforces the ban on corporal punishment and prohibits other kinds 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 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 click here a learner’s decision regarding abortion. It does, however, address the management of learner pregnancies in schools.