The current version of the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill has been shaped by extensive consultations over several years and aims to realise Education 2.0, writes Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga.
In an age where education reform is pivotal, the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill has emerged as a beacon of hope for many while simultaneously sparking intense debate among stakeholders. The bill represents a move towards what some have termed "Education 2.0", an overhaul of our current basic education system to address our historical and present challenges. But what exactly is this bill trying to address? And how does it answer its most vocal critiques?
In this article, I focus on the contentious issue of determining a school's policies, including language and admission, central procurement, management of pupil pregnancy, confusion about early childhood development, the sale of liquor and the approach to home education.