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INSIDE EDUCATION REPORTER
PARENTS of children being home-schooled in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality have proposed a self-regulating mechanism independent of the Department of Basic Education to assist in monitoring learning within the home-schooling environment.
This was one of the suggestions made during the public participation meetings in Gauteng on the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill.
The proposal was premised on the argument that a self-regulating mechanism, similar to the Health Professions Council of South Africa, would be better suited as it will include people who understand the environment and insulate the system against the use of National Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) standards.
An argument was also made that structures exist within the home-schooling environment that supports families that have opted for homeschooling.
Another proposal suggested that instead of Clause 37 (b) (iv), which proposes assessment reporting, home-schooled learners could produce a work portfolio indicating their competence standard. This would be in line with international best practices, they further suggested. But parents and learners rejected clause 37 within the home-schooling environment.
Similarl to other public hearings held to date far, the sale of alcohol on school premises was rejected, even if it was for fund-raising purposes. Participants insisted that that selling alcohol sends the wrong message to learners, especially in a country currently struggling with substance abuse. Other avenues can be used to raise funds, they said.
Meanwhile, other participants in the public hearings highlighted that, despite general support of the objects of the Bill, they are against Clause 2(c), which criminalises any person who unlawfully and intentionally interrupts, disturbs or hinders school activity.
This person will be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine or imprisonment for a period not exceeding 12 months. The view was that due to substandard service delivery, communities are forced to take drastic measures to force action from the government.
Those who supported the Bill also called for an independent body to oversee school governing bodies (SGBs), especially on finance issues. This would assist SGBs that lacked financial experience.
There were opposing views with regard to the language and admission policy in Gauteng. Those that supported the Bill underscored that there is a lingering culture of exclusion in previous Model-C schools. These people believe that the Bill will address this problem.
However, those against it said that the Bill will marginalise mother-tongue education and take power away from School Governing Bodies (SGBs) to determine language and admission policy. They argued that SGBs remain the most relevant entity to determine language and admission policies because of their proximity to the school.
The committee welcomed the inputs made in Gauteng and assured participants that their views would be considered when the committee deliberated on the inputs made at the hearings.
INSIDE EDUCATION