South Africa’s Parliament has raised concerns about delays in implementing the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act as parents prepare for the 2027 school year. During a briefing by the Department of Basic Education on 10 November 2026, the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education identified outstanding school admission and language policy reviews, funding shortages and delays in finalising regulations. The committee warned that schools operating under outdated policies could disadvantage parents and learners during the admissions process.
The BELA Act introduces changes to South Africa’s education system, including compulsory Grade R attendance and amendments affecting school admissions, language policies and learner rights.
Although the Department of Basic Education has made progress in supporting schools with implementation, Parliament says significant work remains.
More Than 11,000 School Policy Reviews Remain Outstanding
One of the committee’s main concerns is the number of schools that have not completed reviews of their admission and language policies.
According to figures presented by the Department of Basic Education:
- 11,715 admission policy reviews remain outstanding.
- 11,657 language policy reviews have not been completed.
These figures represent outstanding policy reviews, not necessarily the number of individual schools affected.
The committee has requested a detailed list of schools where reviews remain incomplete, together with explanations for the delays.
Portfolio Committee Chairperson Joy Maimela acknowledged the department’s progress in assisting school governing bodies but said the number of outstanding reviews remained concerning.
The committee wants to understand the challenges facing individual schools rather than relying solely on provincial totals.
This information would help Parliament establish whether schools require additional support, guidance or intervention to complete the process.
Why Admission Policy Delays Matter for Parents
The timing of the outstanding reviews is particularly important because families are preparing for the 2027 academic year.
School admission policies determine how applications are considered, while language policies govern the languages used for teaching and learning.
The BELA Act introduces changes affecting these areas, making it necessary for schools to review existing policies and ensure they comply with the amended legislation.
Maimela warned that parents could be disadvantaged if schools continue applying policies that have not been aligned with the new legal requirements.
For Gauteng families, the concern is especially relevant to parents applying for Grade 1 and Grade 8 placements or seeking admission to other grades.
However, the committee’s findings do not establish how many Gauteng schools have outstanding reviews or whether particular applications have been affected.
The department has been asked to provide more detailed information that would allow Parliament to identify where implementation problems remain.
Schools Must Also Review Learner Codes of Conduct
Admission and language policies are not the only documents requiring attention.
Schools must also review their codes of conduct to reflect amendments to the South African Schools Act introduced through the BELA Act.
The changes address matters affecting learners’ rights, including:
- Hairstyles and personal appearance.
- Religious beliefs and practices.
- Corporal punishment.
- Other provisions governing learner conduct and rights.
These reviews are intended to ensure that school rules comply with the amended legislation.
The committee has called for realistic and clearly defined implementation timelines.
Maimela rejected the possibility of leaving the process open ended, arguing that schools and education authorities need measurable deadlines for completing the required changes.
For parents, the issue goes beyond administrative compliance. School codes of conduct influence learners’ everyday experiences, including how disciplinary rules and personal freedoms are handled.
Compulsory Grade R Faces Funding And Infrastructure Challenges
Another major concern involves the implementation of compulsory Grade R.
The BELA Act makes Grade R compulsory, introducing an important change to the foundation phase of schooling.
However, the parliamentary committee heard that several challenges continue to affect implementation.
These include classroom shortages, differences in practitioner qualifications, inconsistent employment arrangements and insufficient funding to improve conditions of service.
The department reported significant differences in how provinces employ and compensate Grade R practitioners.
In seven provinces, practitioners are appointed and receive stipends. Mpumalanga and North West appoint educators who receive salaries.
Limpopo is currently the only province that includes Grade R in its educator post provisioning model.
These differences raise questions about how consistently Grade R is being incorporated into the public education system.
The committee expressed concern about the uneven progress between provinces and called for greater clarity on how the department intends to address the gaps.
Grade R Staffing Policy Still Under Review
The Department of Basic Education informed Parliament that work on reviewing the educator post provisioning framework is continuing.
A draft policy is expected during November 2026.
The department’s longer term objective is to incorporate Grade R positions fully into provincial educator staffing arrangements.
Such a change would address how Grade R educators are formally provided for within provincial education systems.
However, the information presented to the committee does not establish when the proposed arrangements will be implemented across all provinces.
The committee also raised questions about the resources needed to accommodate compulsory Grade R, particularly where additional classrooms and appropriately qualified practitioners are required.
For families preparing to enrol children in Grade R, these concerns highlight the importance of obtaining school specific information about available places and admission arrangements.
Parliament Calls For Faster Finalisation Of BELA Regulations
The pace of finalising the BELA Act regulations has also attracted criticism.
Regulations provide the detailed administrative framework needed to support the implementation of legislation.
During the briefing, Maimela expressed dissatisfaction with the department’s progress and called for the process to be accelerated.
She indicated that the committee expects the regulations to be finalised by the time the department next reports on implementation progress.
However, the information supplied does not identify a confirmed publication date for the outstanding regulations.
The committee’s concerns reflect the broader challenge of translating legislative amendments into practical changes at school and provincial level.
Even where legislation has been enacted, schools still need clear requirements, administrative capacity and adequate resources to implement the changes effectively.
What This Means for Gauteng Residents
For Gauteng parents, the immediate concern is whether schools are applying admission, language and conduct policies that comply with the amended legislation.
Families preparing for the 2027 school year should pay attention to official communication from their schools and the Gauteng Department of Education.
Parents may wish to confirm the admission requirements applicable to their children, particularly where questions arise about school language policies or placement decisions.
Those preparing for Grade R should also confirm enrolment arrangements directly with the relevant school or education department.
The parliamentary briefing did not provide a Gauteng specific breakdown of outstanding reviews, so it would be premature to conclude that particular schools or districts are failing to comply.
The committee’s request for school level information could provide greater clarity about where outstanding work is concentrated.
Frequently Asked Questions About The BELA Act
What Is The BELA Act?
The Basic Education Laws Amendment Act introduces changes to South Africa’s school system, including compulsory Grade R and amendments affecting admissions, language policies and learners’ rights.
Why Has The BELA Act Not Been Fully Implemented?
Parliament has identified funding constraints, infrastructure shortages, provincial capacity challenges, incomplete school policy reviews and delays in finalising regulations.
How Many School Policy Reviews Are Still Outstanding?
According to the Department of Basic Education, 11,715 admission policy reviews and 11,657 language policy reviews remain incomplete.
Is Grade R Compulsory Under The BELA Act?
Yes. The Act makes Grade R compulsory, although the department continues to address challenges involving classrooms, practitioner employment arrangements, qualifications and funding.
Will The Delays Affect Gauteng School Applications For 2027?
The parliamentary committee has warned that outdated admission and language policies could disadvantage parents. However, the information presented does not establish whether specific Gauteng applications have been affected.
What Happens Next With BELA Act Implementation?
The Portfolio Committee on Basic Education has requested detailed information about schools with outstanding policy reviews, explanations for delays and realistic implementation timelines.
The department is also expected to continue work on Grade R staffing arrangements and finalise the outstanding regulations.
For parents and schools, the next important development will be whether these processes produce clearer guidance and measurable progress before the 2027 academic year.
Until further provincial details are available, Gauteng families should rely on official school and education department communication when making admission decisions.
