Wingu Academy, a world-class online education platform for South Africans, has noted the most recent developments regarding the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill.

Public consultation on the Bill recently closed, and the split opinions about its content will require the South African government to rethink several of its provisions.

When this Bill is passed, however, it will impact how homeschoolers in the country operate – and online schools such as Wingu Academy will need to be ready to serve their learners accordingly.

Ian Strydom, Managing Director of Wingu Academy, unpacks the key parts of the BELA Bill, below.

BELA Bill

The BELA Bill aims to bring increased regulation to schools and homeschoolers across South Africa.

Most notable to the homeschooling community is Clause 37, which requires all homeschooled learners to be registered with the Department of Basic Education.

It will also require independent assessors and continuous assessments for homeschooled students.

The Department of Basic Education has indicated that the provision will ensure homeschooled learners are receiving an education that is on par with all other South African learners.

Another area to note is Section 51 of the BELA Bill, which provides the education minister unlimited power to regulate home education.

For example: parents will need to register to homeschool their child and must provide reasons to their provincial education department that they are acting in their child’s best interest with an approach that ensures the child is educated at a standard not inferior to public schools.

The proposed Bill states: “The proposed home education programme is suitable for the learner’s age, grade level and ability and predominantly covers the acquisition of content and skills at least comparable to the relevant national curriculum determined by the Minister.”

Wingu Academy is prepared

As part of its goal to provide South Africans with a diverse range of learning opportunities, Wingu Academy provides numerous curriculum options, including the British International Curriculum as well as the CAPS curriculum.

The British International Curriculum firmly qualifies and more than “predominantly covers the acquisition of content and skills” compared to the national curriculum.

The Gauteng Department of Education has on two occasions met with online schools and distance education providers in the past year, and has discussed various matters allowing for easier transition for students between public schools and home education.

Wingu Academy has embraced this, which is why it provides its numerous curriculum options, and it also enables the organisation and it’s learners to remain compliant with the BELA Bill when it comes into effect.

The academy has closely aligned all of its policies to satisfy both the requirements of independent schools and for homeschooling while it awaits for the promised release of regulations later this year for online schools.

About Wingu Academy

Wingu Academy is a strong advocate for distance learning – which includes homeschooling – and has one of the most advanced online distance and blended learning platforms in Africa.

Along with its platform in South Africa, Wingu Academy provides educational support to homeschoolers across the world.

Learners who join Wingu Academy become part of a thriving community and a flexible learning environment that allows them to learn with a structured program while maintaining the flexibility of working at their own pace to accommodate their needs and lifestyle.

SOURCE:How the BELA Bill will affect homeschooling in South Africa – BusinessTech