The controversial Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill has received mixed reactions at public consultations in the Western Cape.<\/p>\n
The BELA bill is set to make major changes to schools across South Africa with several contentious provisions, such as limiting the power of school governing bodies (SGBs), allowing the government to have final say on language policies and allowing for the sale of alcohol on campus after the end of the school day.<\/p>\n
At a public hearing with the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education in Cape Town, reactions to the Bill varied, particularly in regard to proposed changes to SBGs and the homeschooling system.<\/p>\n
Those who supported the Bill said that its transformative intentions will improve the quality of the education system, particularly for those from poor households.<\/p>\n
They said that the proposal for the inclusion of heads of departments in determining language and admission policies at schools will lead to less discriminatory practices allegedly shown by some SGBs.<\/p>\n
However, those opposing the Bill said that it will give the state even more power and undermine the constitutionally guaranteed right for a parent to make decisions for their child.<\/p>\n
They further argued that the Bill primarily intends to take power away from SBGs to determine language and admission policies, which undermines monther-tongue education, primarily Afrikaans.<\/p>\n
Those in favour of the Bill said that Clause 37 of the Bill –\u00a0 requiring homeschooled children to be registered – is necessary as it allows the department to account for every child in the system while also ensuring uniformity and access.<\/p>\n
Moreover, they said that homeschooling is only available to wealthy families, which they think the Bill will address.<\/p>\n
Those who oppose the Bill said that homeschooling is available to low-income families, but the new proposals that require independent accessors and continuous assessments will be costly and price many families out of homeschooling.<\/p>\n
They also argued that clause 37 is incredibly vague and opens the Bill up to interpretation.<\/p>\n
Parents and learners of homeschooled children argued that the Department of Basic Education must do further research on the socio-impact of homeschooling before writing another Bill.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, participants that supported Bill still raised concerns over some clauses that may need further scrutiny, saying that the clause that seeks to criminalise teachers for conducting strike action that may impact teaching and learning be reconsidered.<\/p>\n
There was, however, a general agreement amongst participants that alcohol sales be banned from schools as it could possibly encourage further substance abuse in the community.<\/p>\n
Bill not looking great\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Following the meeting in the Western Cape, the portfolio committee will head to the Northern and Eastern Cape.<\/p>\n The Bill has received major pushback as far back as December 2022, with over 18,000 written submissions being made to the Department of Basic Education.<\/p>\n