GEORGE NEWS - The Western Cape Government wholeheartedly supports the intention in the Memorandum on the Objects of the BELA Bill to ensure that "systems of learning and excellence are put in place in a manner which respects, protects, promotes and fulfils the right to basic education enshrined in section 29(1) of the Constitution."

Western Cape MEC for Education Debbie Schäfer said this week, "On analysing the proposals in the bill, it appears that the main issues the bill purportedly seeks to address, arise out of corruption in the appointments process, incapacity of many of the school governing bodies (SGB), failure of education departments to manage their staff properly, and inadequate processes of staff appointments. 

"In addition, there are remedies in existing legislation that are clearly not being used adequately."

Future of homeschooling in the balance
If the proposed amendments to the Bela Bill (Basic Education Laws Amendment) are promulgated by the National Assembly it will impose intense burdens on the homeschooling community. 

Enthusiastic home school mother Beverley Broderick told the George Herald, "The bill also has serious implications for schools and governing bodies. 

"It doesn't just impact homeschoolers. I think everyone should study the bill very carefully."

The next few months will decide the future of home education in South Africa.

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