Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Basic Education says the Basic Education Laws Amendment bill (BELA) will help reshape the education system of the country.
The committee held public hearings for three days in the North West, regarding the BELA.
If approved, the bill proposes among others giving government Heads of Department’s (HOD’s) power over school language policy and curriculums, for the sale of alcohol at school premises for fundraising, and making grade R compulsory.
The committee’s chairperson, Bongiwe Mbinqo-Gigaba, said the Department wants to change a lot of clauses in the South African School Act of 1996.
“Some of the key amendments that the Bill aims to make include making grade R the new compulsory school starting age, as opposed to grade 1, as is currently the case. Forcing home-schooled learners to register for this type of schooling.
“Criminalising parents who do not ensure their child or children are in school, with fines or jail time up to 12 months. Holding school governing bodies more accountable for disclosures of financial interests – including those related to their spouses and family members.
“Prohibiting educators from conducting business with the state or being a director of public or private companies conducting business with the state. Abolishing corporal punishment and initiation/hazing practices.
“Allowing schools to sell alcohol outside of school hours. Giving government department heads power over language policies and the curriculums a school must adopt,” Mbinqo-Gigaba said.
She said the committee has now visited two provinces, namely Limpopo and Free State, before the North West, where the majority of participants highlighted their partial support of the Bill with objections to various clauses, including the clause on language policy and the definition of corporal punishment.
“Those opposed to the Bill completely highlighted concerns that the overregulation of home-schooling does not take into consideration the needs of the learner. There was a call for the Department of Basic Education to engage the sector even more to enable the crafting of a more inclusive Bill.
“Another concern was that the centralization of power within the office of the head of the department will be detrimental to the system and will cause unnecessary delays in decision-making.
“By first receiving various oral submissions from stakeholders and now this extensive nationwide process, we are responding directly to the guarantees given by the Constitution as well as reaffirming the vision of our Parliament being the Parliament of the people by the people,” she said.
Residents of Mahikeng in the North West, have expressed mixed feelings about the proposed Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill.
While some participants agreed with the proposed bill, others criticised the sector for failing to address current challenges in education.
“I support this bill as it encourages us to use our own languages. The white people refuse for HOD’s to give them powers because they know that they will not be able to use their own languages. They want all subjects to be taught in their language. Why are those subjects still taught in English in Mahikeng?” said Keitumetsi Seletedi.
Kelebogile Mothupi accused the department of failing to address challenges currently faced at schools and said the BELA bill was also a recipe for disaster.
