Parliament, Sunday, 4 June 2023 – The residents of greater John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality have pleaded with the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education to reconsider clause 27 of the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill that outlines a process for the closure of small non-viable schools. The committee successfully held the second of three public hearings on the Bill in the Northern Cape yesterday.
The residents highlighted that small schools are the backbone of communities and that instead of merging them the department must find means of supporting and encouraging their continued existence. There was also a view that the unintended consequence of the closure of small schools escalates the drop-out rate. Also, participants cautioned that through the closing of schools, the department was encouraging learners to utilise scholar transport which is in most cases unreliable and unsafe for young children and subjects them to longer travelling time to reach schools.
Similar to the hearings in Upington, the Bill received mixed reviews with some participants supporting the Bill and others against it. Those who supported the Bill asserted that one of the most important considerations they based their support on, was the compulsory attendance of school from Grade R as it provided a necessary platform for the preparation of learners in the education system. Also, some highlighted that there are areas in the district that did not have Early Childhood Development Centres and the absence of those centres disadvantaged learners.
Also, there was a view that clause 3 which proposes the monitoring of leaner attendance was necessary especially because of the unreliable scholar transport in the district. Furthermore, a view was raised that clause 11 of the Bill which proposes the prohibition of initiation activities in schools was required as a solution to bullying in schools. Those in support of the Bill further highlighted that through the regulation of the home-schooling environment, the Bill will ensure adherence to teaching standards and ensure that parents who home-school their children are adequately empowered and capacitated to render this service.
Meanwhile, those against the Bill underscored their objection especially to clause 37 and 41 of the proposed Bill. Many parents and leaners shared personal experiences of how through home-schooling they enjoyed an option that provided, among other things, personalised and flexible education that caters for individual learner needs. Also, there were views that clause 37 proposes undemocratic and unnecessary bureaucratic oversight that will make home-schooling difficult and deny children access to the education system of their choice.
Furthermore, there was an assertion that was expressed that the Bill overlooks the benefits that the home-schooling system can provide. There was also a concern that was raised that the Bill seeks to usurp the rights of parents to decide about their children.
A concern was expressed on centralisation of the procurement of Learner and Teacher Support Materials (LTSM) as proposed in clause 16 of the Bill. The concern was because some provincial education departments are currently unable to procure LTSM and this will be an additional responsibility to provincial departments that lack capacity to deliver quality material on time. The participants argued that in certain schools such as special schools, the School Governing Bodies are able to determine the specific material needs and requirements for their schools.
The committee will today conclude the Northern Cape leg of public consultations with a hearing in Frances Baard District Municipality. The committee emphasises that all interested individuals and organisations are welcomed to make submissions.
|
District |
Area |
Local Municipality |
Venue |
Date |
Time |
|
Sol Plaatjie |
Sol Plaatjie Local Municipality |
Mayibuye Multipurpose Centre, Galeshewe |
Sun, 4 June 2023 |
12:00 – 16:00 |
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCATION, MS BONGIWE MBINQO-GIGABA
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the Committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Malatswa Molepo (Mr)
Parliamentary Communication Services
Tel: 021 403 8438
Cell: 081 512 7920
E-mail: mmolepo@parliament.gov.za
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