The South African Schools Act (SASA), Act 84 of 1996, is a key piece of legislation governing the education system in South Africa. It was introduced to create a unified and democratic schooling system post-apartheid.
Table of Contents
Key Features of the SASA Act
- Right to Basic Education – Ensures every child has the right to education and prohibits discrimination in school admissions.
- Compulsory Schooling – Requires children between the ages of 7 and 15 (Grades 1–9) to attend school.
- School Governing Bodies (SGBs) – Establishes SGBs, giving parents, teachers, and community members a role in school management (including admissions, language policies, and budgets).
- No Corporal Punishment – Officially bans corporal punishment in schools, replacing it with alternative disciplinary measures.
- Funding Model – Divides schools into quintiles (1–5), where poorer schools (Quintiles 1–3) receive more state funding and can’t charge school fees, while wealthier schools (Quintiles 4–5) can charge fees.
- Language & Admission Policies – SGBs set these policies, but must comply with national regulations to ensure fairness and accessibility.
- Home Education – Allows for homeschooling, but parents must register with the Department of Education and follow curriculum requirements.
SASA VS BELA Act
The BELA Act proposes amendments to SASA, such as making Grade R compulsory, giving provincial departments more control over language and admission policies, and tightening homeschooling regulations.
⇒ READ MORE: What The BELA Act Is All About?
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