Question NW3863 to the Minister of Basic Education
06 December 2017 - NW3863
Alberts, Mr ADW to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1)Whether the proposed amending Bill on schools aims to eradicate apartheid practices and the said amendment process is the beginning of the elimination of outdated education; if so, which apartheid practices will be dealt with and eradicated by the specified amending Bill according to her finding; (2) whether public comments regarding the amending Bill will be taken into account and the amending Bill will therefore be adjusted in the light of such public participation; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) what are the relevant details of any further process that is envisaged to eradicate any outdated education?
Reply:
1. It is not clear what apartheid practices the honourable member is referring to. As long ago as in 1996, when the South African Schools Act (SASA) was first promulgated, the preamble made it clear that SASA was being enacted –
because the achievement of democracy in South Africa had consigned to history the past system of education which had been based on racial inequality and segregation; and
because South Africa required a new national system for schools which would redress past injustices in educational provision, provide an education of progressively high quality for all learners …, advance the democratic transformation of society, [and] combat racism and sexism and all other forms of unfair discrimination and intolerance, … .
Be that as it may, let me quote from the Memorandum on the Objects of the Bill: "The Bill proposes to amend the South African Schools Act, 1996 (Act No. 84 of 1996), and the Employment of Educators Act, 1998 (Act No. 76 of 1998) (the SASA and the EEA, respectively), so as to align them with developments in the education landscape and to ensure that systems of learning and excellence in education 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 of the Republic of South Africa, 1996."
"The Bill also seeks to amend the SASA and the EEA so as to make certain technical and substantive adjustments, to clarify certain existing provisions and to insert certain provisions to cover matters which are not provided for in the existing legislation."
2. Yes, all the comments submitted by organisations, members of the public and education stakeholders in general will be considered, and those that have merit will be incorporated into the Bill.
It is worth noting that more than 5 000 emailed comments and reactions were received in response to the call for comments, together with 36 faxes, two thick couriered bundles of documents, and one thick hand-delivered bundle of documents. A document containing 98 635 names, most with short comments added, was also received.
3. The Department of Basic Education is committed to reviewing its legislation, policies and guidelines as often as is necessary to ensure that they remain relevant and that they keep abreast of developments in education practice, technology and other relevant fields.