Bela Act: Proposed Class Size Caps for Grade R to Grade 12
The South African government has recently gazetted key regulations under the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act aimed at improving schooling conditions nationwide. Among these are proposed class size caps designed to curb overcrowding and enhance the learning environment from Grade R up to Grade 12.
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Table of contents
What Is the Bela Act?
The BELA Act, fully implemented since December 2024, amends the South African Schools Act and Employment of Educators Act. Its main goal is to strengthen school governance, improve equity and quality of education, and regulate school operations more effectively. The recent draft regulations under the Act establish clear guidelines on how schools calculate their capacity and manage learner numbers.
Proposed Class Size Caps
The draft regulations set class size limits to promote more effective teaching and learning:
- Grade R (Reception Year): Maximum of 30 learners per teacher
- Grades 1 to 12: Maximum of 40 learners per teacher
These standards include specific requirements for classroom size to ensure sufficient learner and teacher space:
- Grade R classrooms must be at least 60 square meters, providing 1.6 square meters per learner plus 7 square meters for teacher space
- Grades 1–12 classrooms require a minimum of 48 square meters, with at least 1 square meter per learner plus 7 square meters for teacher space
This approach aims to reduce overcrowding, which can negatively impact learner attention and academic outcomes.
How Are School Capacities Determined?
The capacity of ordinary public schools will be calculated by totaling the sizes of all ordinary classrooms—excluding specialist rooms such as science labs, libraries, or computer labs. Schools must also consider factors like:
- Curriculum and extracurricular offerings
- Academic performance levels
- Health, safety, and ablution facilities
- Classroom condition and allocation
If enrolment changes significantly, schools may redistribute learners across classes or adjust the use of teaching spaces accordingly, always adhering to the maximum class size limits.
Why Are Class Size Caps Important?
Overcrowded classrooms pose challenges such as limited individual attention, increased noise, and distraction. Capping class sizes enhances:
- Learner engagement and participation
- Teacher ability to manage the classroom effectively
- Overall quality of education
The BELA Act’s regulations support these goals by making maximum class sizes a uniform national standard.
Opportunities for Public Participation
The Department gazetted the draft regulations on 6 August 2025 and will accept public comments until 5 September 2025. It encourages education stakeholders; including parents, teachers, school governing bodies, and civil society; to engage in the consultation process.
Active participation helps ensure the regulations reflect community needs and facilitate smoother implementation at the school level.
What Happens Next?
Following public consultation, the Department of Basic Education will review the feedback and finalise the regulations. Schools will then be required to comply with the new class size norms and manage admissions and classroom allocation accordingly.
This process will gradually address existing overcrowding and promote equitable access to quality education.
Challenges and Considerations
Fixed class size caps may challenge some schools, especially in densely populated or under-resourced areas with limited infrastructure for expansion. Effective enforcement will require:
- Increased investment in school infrastructure and staffing
- Support for schools to reorganise and optimise learning spaces
- Continuous monitoring for compliance and positive educational outcomes
Prioritising Students
The BELA Act’s proposed class size caps mark a significant step towards improving the South African education system by ensuring manageable learner numbers and adequate classroom space. By limiting classes to 30 learners in Grade R and 40 from Grades 1 to 12, the Act aims to foster healthier, more effective learning environments.
Parents, educators, and community members are urged to participate in the current public consultation to help shape the future of basic education in the country.
