Proposed education legislation amounts to ‘school capture’, says FEDSAS
South Africans can comment on the Bill, which if passed in its present form, will rob school governing bodies of much of their authority.
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A copy of the Amendment Bill is available on the FEDSAS website at www.fedsas.org.za under the link “What is new?”
“Parents should take note of the fact that the proposed Bill places a limitation on the right of parents to make decisions about their children’s education. In essence, it is a violation of the Constitution as school governing bodies enable parents to be involved in decision making.”
Deacon said it is important that parents are involved in formal school governance structures. “If governing bodies do not function properly or if parents and other education role-players are not involved in these structures it strengthens the claim made with this Bill.”
The Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill proposes, among others, that governing bodies play no role in the appointment of school-level heads of department, deputy principals and principals. Currently a school’s governing body makes a recommendation about these appointments.
Other functions targeted by the Amendment Bill include admission and language policies as well as certain financial functions.“If the serious shortcomings in the proposed Bill are not pointed out and changed we will spend millions on reactive court cases and other actions. Now we have the opportunity to be proactive. However, this can only happen if all education role-players commit, comment and create awareness about the implications,” concluded Deacon.
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