Portfolio Committee on Education, Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation conducted public hearings throughout the province on the Basic Education Law Amendment Bill [B2B-2022]

Portfolio Committee on Education, Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation conducted public hearings throughout the province on the Basic Education Law Amendment Bill [B2B-2022] at Mahikeng Civic Centre in Mahikeng; Sarafina Hall in Potchefstroom; Depot Hall in Taung and Moss Mary Hall (Danhouse) in Moretele.

The bills aims to amend the South African Schools Act, 1996, to insert and amend certain definitions; to provide that attendance of Grade R is compulsory; to amend the penalty provision in the case where the parent of a learner, or any other person, without just cause, prevents a learner who is subject to compulsory attendance from attending school.

Furthermore, the bill seeks to amend the Employment of Educators Act, 1998, so as to amend certain definitions; to exclude further education and training centres, adult basic education centres and institutions, from the ambit of the Act; to prohibit an educator from conducting business with the State and to create an offence in relation thereto; to extend the powers of the Minister to make regulations; and to provide for matters incidental thereto.