Concerns raised over plans to “nationalise” SA schools

Labour union Solidarity has urged members of the public to respond to the recently published education amendment bill.

According to the union, the amendment bill aims to nationalise schools turning them into state institutions. This will be done by stripping governing bodies, staff and parents of their powers as decision-making heads, it said.

“The Gauteng MEC for Education, Panyaza Lesufi confirmed the cause for concern in a radio interview on Radio702 on 2 November,” said Solidarity’s Francois Redelinghuys .

“His statements that class rooms should be enlarged to accommodate 60 to 70 learners in a class, and that control should be applied over appointments, are worrying.

“If these amendments are approved, teachers will have no say in where they want to exercise their profession,” Redelinghuys said.

Redelinghuys argues that parents have a democratic right to make decisions through governing bodies regarding their children and the schools in their community.

The changes to how school governing bodies will work are part of a number of proposed changes under the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill.

Other proposed changes include:

• Stricter control measures as to where pupils are allowed to attend schools.
• Harsh penalties for persons obstructing children from attending school.
• Revision of school’s teaching languages and religion.
• Clarity on home schooling recognition and qualifications.

You can read BusinessTech’s full break down of the Bill’s proposals here.

Read: The cost of sending a child to school in South Africa vs the world