Page 1 - 18 October 2024

The country experienced a
heatwave the week and
especially during the weekend
of 11 to 13 October.
Temperatures rose to over
32°C, with some areas, such as
Bloemfontein, allegedly
measuring 35°C. The Eastern
Cape was no exception with
temperatures soaring above
32°C.
Suddenly on Sunday night and
Monday morning the tempera- T h e T h a b o M b e k i the danger of sowing division consequences of this is that
tures dropped suddenly and an Foundation's report, sent between communities and excellent teachers and
icy wind had inhabitants on 10 October 2024 by stifling healthy debate. principals cannot cope with
reaching for the winter jackets former president Mbeki to According to Alana Bailey, the constant pressure and
once again. G a u t e n g ' s M E C f o r AfriForum's head of Cultural retire early or bid the
E d u c a t i o n , M a t o m e Affairs, the GDE has been education sector farewell.”
Mr Sarel Pretorius posted snow
Chiloane, condemns the notorious for years for Kallie Kriel, CEO of
photographs on Facebook on interference of the Gauteng overreacting to untested AfriForum, says that the
Tuesday morning. This dusting Department of Education a l l e g a t i o n s a g a i n s t GDE's actions at PHSG once
of snow explains the icy wind (GDE) at Pretoria High functional schools, while again prove that Premier
that could be felt in town in School for Girls (PHSG) in little is disclosed about Panyaza Lesufi, MEC
Barkly East. the strongest terms. actions against dysfunc- Chiloane and the GDE are
Mrs Sandra Labuschagne In the former president's tional schools in the bullies who want dictatorial
measured an icy -2°C on the letter to Chiloane, he province. control over schools, to the
farm Uitkyk in the Clifford area. criticises, among other “The department likes to detriment of children,
things, that the Department incite communities against parents and the powers of
We trust that this cold spell will had already intervened each other and use schools governing bodies.
quickly pass and that our before there had even been and children as political This is another reason why
veggie gardens and blossoms any prima facie proof of pawns, instead of focusing AfriForum opposes the parts
survive the cold. racism at the school. on quality education and of the Bela Act that grant
Furthermore, he refers to the offering support to teaching draconian powers to Lesufi
events as an “unfortunate staff and governing bodies. and his ideologically-driven
episode” and emphasises One of the most destructive team.
What is the BELA Bill? amendments as explained
by the Parliamentary
On Friday 13 September, President Cyril Ramaphosa officially Monitoring Group:
signed the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill Clause Eight deals with
into law, but with a delay on the implementation of two random search, seizure, and
clauses — clauses 4 and 5.The BELA Bill proposes significant drug testing in schools,
amendments to the South African Schools Act (SASA) of outlining procedures for
1996 and the Educators Employment Act of 1998. these activities.
Here is a brief summary of some of the amendments:. Clause Nine clarifies what
c o n s t i t u t e s s e r i o u s
Clause 4 of the Bela Bill also states that anyone
gives greater control over disrupting school activities is misconduct for learners,
admissions policy to the liable to a maximum of 12 guiding schools on how to
department of education, months in prison. handle cases such as
rather than the school and • H o m e e d u c a t i o n stabbing or rape.
also compels the school to regulation: The amend- Clause Ten addresses
admit and educate children ment allows the department corporal punishment, defin-
who might not have the head to conduct site visits ing what actions are
necessary documentation. before registering home prohibited and reinforcing
Clause 5 states that the education. It enables the the ban on corporal
school’s governing body minister of basic education punishment.
must submit the language to regulate the registration Clause Eleven focuses on
policy of a public school and and administration of home a b o l i s h i n g i n i t i a t i o n
any amendment thereof to education, acknowledging practices in schools and
the provincial head of the preference of some promoting programs that
department for approval. parents for home-schooling integrate new learners
• M a k i n g G r a d e R over public schooling. without subjecting them to
Compulsory: Grade R will • Accommodating religion uncomfortable treatment.
be the compulsory start of in school codes of Clause Twelve permits
school. conduct: The bill proposes schools to change their
• Criminalising parental that school codes of curriculum or nature,
negligence in school conduct respect cultural and allowing for specialisation.
attendance: The bill seeks religious beliefs, including Clause Fifteen allows for
to criminalise parents who provisions for students to the removal of functions
fail to ensure their children seek exemptions from from School Governing
attend school, with potential certain code requirements. Bodies (SGBs) if they are not
jail time as a consequence. It Here are a few more performing adequately.