Learners First.Org

Best wishes for the Matric Class of 2020 as they begin their end of year final examination. What a year it has been❗

Congratulations

It’s all systems go for matric final exams.

A total of 796,542 full time and part time candidates will write the exams from Monday

South African Education Law Association Conference

Draft Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) published the Draft Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill, (BELA) on 13 October 2017. The Draft BELA Bill seeks to make changes to the South African Schools Act and the Employment of Educators Act.

There are proposals which are very significant and will have far reaching implications for schools and SGBs. All interested parties are encouraged to study the Bill and to submit comment to the Department of Basic Education by 10 November 2017.

The document is large (17mb) – it may be download from the South African Government website. Click on the link below:

https://www.gov.za/documents/basic-education-laws-amendment-bill-draft-13-oct-2017-0000

Some of the proposed amendments are:

Changes to the admission and language policies of schools.
Changes to the code of conduct, including a section that learners and parents may apply for exemption form the code of conduct or sections thereof
Removal of the SGB function to make recommendations to the Education Department for the appointment of Principals, Deputy Principals and Departmental Heads.
Additional requirements for home schooling
Educators to disclose their financial interest.
Prohibition of unauthorized payments – certain “perks”which some educators receive are to be removed.
Interested parties are invited to submit comments to the DBE by 10 November 2013. Comments should indicate the name and detailed contact information of the person or organisation submitting them, and should be directed to the Director-General, Private Bag X895, Pretoria, 0001, for attention: Adv. TD Rudman, tel. 012 357 3856, email [email protected] , fax 012 323 9430.

NB. Closing date for the submission of comment is 10 November 2017

Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill: Draft | South African Government

Best wishes for the Grade 12 class of 2017 as they begin their last lap of their schooling years...

A teacher has been dismissed in one of Port Elizabeth prestigious schools, Collegiate Girls High. The teacher is alleged to have used drugs in the presence of learners.

The Gauteng Department of Education has condemned the assault of a 16-year-old pupil by a food handler at Adelaide Tambo School for the Disabled in Soweto.

In the past few days, we have read reports of sexual violence and corporal punishment against learners in school, mainly in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Learnersfirst joins SECTION27 in condemning all acts of violence against learners. The school environment should be a place of shelter for learners and their safety should come first. We urge all teachers and principals to refer to our Education Handbook to guide them in what the law says and what action they can take to ensure that anyone who is involved in abusing learners are disciplined. [ 38 more words ]
http://section27.org.za/2017/09/sexual-violence-and-corporal-punishment-in-schools/

Sexual violence and corporal punishment in schools
section27.org.za

Sexual violence and corporal punishment in schools In the past few days, we have read reports of sexual violence and corporal punishment against learners in school, mainly in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. SECTION27 condemns all acts of violence ag…