On Thursday 16 May, the National Assembly voted YES for passing the BELA Bill.

The last step in the process is now up to President Cyril Ramaphosa. Join us in praying for him to make a favourable decision. He must either sign the bill into law or refer it back to Parliament, if he has concerns that it doesn’t meet constitutional muster, which means that it must not violate the South African Constitution - the highest law in the land.

Parties like the DA, Freedom Front Plus and ACDP voted against the bill. At least four civil institutions have expressed intentions to challenge the BELA Bill in the Constitutional Court if it is passed into law, including the Pestalozzi Trust, the homeschool legal defence organisation.

Have no fear. 

In a press release on 11 March 2024, the Department of Basic Education confirmed:

“The Department has no intention of taking away the freedom of curriculum choice from the parents.”

Regardless of what the president does, parents must continue to act in the best interests of their children. There seems to be no straightforward "right thing to do" when it comes to homeschooling and the law. To help you understand the choices and their potential consequences, we have compiled a series of updated articles - Homeschooling and the Law

Don't have sleepless nights, worrying about homeschooling. It's a perfectly legal choice. You don't have to register for school-at-home! You don't have to follow CAPS!

Follow this "recipe" for peaceful sleep and peace in your heart:

1. Read our articles, so you become well-informed and confident about your decision.

2. Join the Pestalozzi Trust so that you have legal backing, if you ever need it. (Your membership also supports the work they do on behalf of all homeschoolers!)

Finally, please share this information with other homeschoolers. Forward them this newsletter or post the link to our Homeschooling and the Law articles on your social media networks.