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Significant changes are currently being prepared for schools across South Africa, with implications for school governing bodies, parents, and principals on the cards.
This follows the publication of a summary from the Department of Basic Education‘s Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill.
The Bill will impose a slew of new regulations on South African schools, reshaping the educational landscape. From establishing frameworks for financial and public accountability for governing bodies and provincial departments. Too granting the Minister additional regulatory powers and strengthening the decision-making and oversight powers of Heads of Departments and Members of Executive Councils.
While the Bill will still be published for public comment soon, the Newcastillian – Online News highlights the most significant proposed changes.
Compulsory Schooling
The Bill intends to make school mandatory beginning in Grade R. To enforce this, the Bill will amend the penalty provision if a learner’s parent or any other person, without just cause, prevents a learner who is subject to compulsory attendance from attending school.
School Governing Bodies
The Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill proposes significant changes to the power of School Governing Bodies. Among the changes are the following:
- To provide that the Head of Department may, on reasonable grounds, dissolve a governing body that has ceased to perform its functions.
- To require a governing body member to disclose and declare any direct or indirect personal interest that they or a family member may have in the recruitment or employment of staff at a public school. Or in the procurement of goods and services for a public school and to recuse themself from a meeting of the governing body in such circumstances.
- To provide more clarity on the prohibition on remunerating members of governing bodies.
- To provide that it is the Minister, and not the Member of the Executive Council, who must make certain determinations regarding the election of members of governing bodies of public schools.
- To require, where reasonably practicable, that the finance committee chairperson be a parent member of a governing body whom the public school does not employ.
- To make a technical amendment concerning the status of learners serving on governing bodies of public schools.
Accountability
The amendment bill also seeks to make educators, principals, and school governing bodies accountable and responsible for the students under their supervision.
Languages
The Bill also states that the Head of Department may direct a public school to use more than one language of instruction if it is feasible. Suppose the Head of Department issues such a directive. In that case, they must take all necessary steps to ensure that the public school receives the resources it needs to provide adequate tuition in the additional language of instruction.
Furthermore, the Bill recognises South African Sign Language as an official language to learn in public schools.
Alcohol and drugs
The amendment bill will also consider fine-tuning the provisions governing drug possession on school grounds or during school activities. It also seeks to define the circumstances under which liquor may be possessed, sold, or consumed on school grounds or during school activities.
Code of conduct
The Bill also emphasises that a public school’s code of conduct must consider the diverse cultural beliefs, religious observances, and medical circumstances of its students. According to the Bill, the code of conduct must also include an exemption clause and require that disciplinary proceedings be handled in an age-appropriate manner and in the best interests of the learner.
What are your thoughts on the changes proposed by the Department of Basic Education? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
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Comments 3
I strongly agree with the amendment to position of the Treasurer. The current legislation is silent on this one, only Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson must be parents. The issue of languages to be used in school, the Act must prescribe for Provinces dominant languages to be used in schools. The problem is with the implementation. The Department has become so weak that it has lost grip on issues pertaining education. Unions are running the show
The other crucial area that needs to be look at is the section 20 functions performed by the SGB, especially when it comes to recommending employment of staff. The level of education of Interview Committees. In some areas illiterate parents are interviewing candidates for the post of the Principal. That’s why we have so many principals that do not deserve to be leaders of institutions
Very true. How can you listen and able to score to something you don’t understand. Level of education should be strictly checked otherwise the school should appoint