October 2020 – ECHSA

The Policy and law making process in South Africa

Posted on 30th October 202030th October 2020 by Natascha Yazbek

This is a simplified explanation to understand and navigate the process of the development of the BELA Bill and the Policy on Home Education that impact our movement.

1) On 13 October 2017, the Department of Basic Education published the draft Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill 2017 (BELA Bill). On 10 November 2017, ECHSA submitted comments on the Home Education provisions in the draft BELA Bill. (BELA Submission)

2) On 17 November 2017, the Department of Basic Education published the draft Policy on Home Education in terms of the National Education Policy Act 27 of 1996. On 8 December 2017, ECHSA submitted comments on the Home Education Policy. (Policy Submission)

3) After having received a reply from the DBE to our PAIA (Promotion of Access to Information Act) Application of 22 August 2018, ECHSA submitted a PAIA Appeal Application on 30 October 2018, which is the next step. The Appeal goes directly to the Minister of Basic Education, who has 30 days to respond. (Appeal Submission)

4) ECHSA further submitted a Supplementary PAIA Application on 30 October 2018 to the DBE, based on information gleaned from the Department’s inadequate response to our original PAIA application. It must also be responded to within 30 days. (Supplementary PAIA submission)