The Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill was not too long ago authorized by the South African Parliament which is now just waiting being signed into legislation through the President.

The Act will introduce significant variations on the South African Schools Act as well as the Employment of Educators Act to better align with contemporary academic desires and difficulties.

Critical provisions of the BELA Bill contain:

Compulsory Grade R: The Bill causes it to be required for youngsters to start school at Grade R, with formal penalties for parents who fail to enroll their youngsters​​.

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

Learner here 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​.