The Basic Education Law Amendments (BELA) Bill has been shrouded in much controversy, debate, and misinformation. SECTION27 debunks five myths about the BELA Bill that have been circulating primarily through social media platforms. 1. Abortion Fiction: The BELA Bill, often misunderstood as an abortion Bill, has generated misconceptions suggesting that Continue Reading
BLINDSA and SECTION27 made submissions on the Copyright Amendment Bill which was presented before the National Council of Provinces on 27 January 2023. This follows the 21 September 2022 Constitutional Court victory where the Court, declared the Copyright Act of 1978 unconstitutional and invalid because it limits access to literary Continue Reading
23 January 2023, Johannesburg – Following the 21 September 2022 Constitutional Court victory, Blind SA and SECTION27 have drawn up a guide to Accessible Format Shifting titled #ENDINGTHEBOOKFAMINE for People Who are Blind or Visually Impaired. The guide will be launched at a Right to Research Conference at the University Continue Reading
By Gertrude Quan, Isabel Magaya and Mila Harding Should the Department of Basic Education pass this amendment, it will not only be failing its legal obligation to protect learners from the dangers of alcohol abuse, but it will be proactively assisting in the promotion of underage drinking. “What is more important Continue Reading
By Gertrude Quan, Isabel Magaya and Mila Harding Corporal punishment has been unlawful in South African schools for more than two decades – section 10 of the Schools Act, 1996 states that no person may inflict corporal punishment against a learner at a school. It is a crime. The constitutionality of Continue Reading
By Roné McFarlane Rather than introducing something new, the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill is just bringing the law in alignment with what cases have already confirmed: the role of school governing bodies is critical, but the State has important and final oversight responsibility to ensure equity. A breach of Continue Reading
