The committee mapped the way forward regarding the process it will likely follow to ensure thorough public engagement in a meeting on Tuesday . Committee chairperson Bongiwe Mbinqo-Gigaba said the committee will try to use all platforms to make the public aware of the Bill.
This is to make grade R compulsory and to amend the penalty provision in the case where a learner’s parent, or any other person, without just cause, prevents a learner who is subject to compulsory attendance from attending school. It proposes to increase the penalty provision from six months to 12 months.The Bill provides for the monitoring of school attendance by educators, principals and the school governing body .
The draft Bill will assign official language status to South African sign language as a medium of instruction in a public school. The Bill makes provision for the Minister to have the authority to appoint a person, an organisation or a group of persons to advise on curriculum and assessment-related matters.