Adoption of BELA Bill puts onus on govt - expert
An education expert says the adoption of changes to the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill means that the state now has to create more learning facilities for children.
The controversial BELA Bill was adopted by the National Council of Provinces Select Committee on Education on Wednesday despite rejections.
Some of the changes include making Grade R compulsory, and giving the school governing body powers to determine the language policy of a school, a discretion held by the head of department.
Expert Mary Metcalfe says when we as a country make education compulsory it's puts an obligation both on the parents and the state.
"The state therefore has to make sure that it provides sufficient places for all children between the ages of 5 and 15."
Eight out of nine provinces voted in favour of the bill, which also includes changes to the corporal punishment clause.
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