The Regulations on Minimum Uniform Norms and Standards for Capacity and the Admission of learners to public Schools were initially placed on publication on 6 August 2025; however, resulting from requests by Section 27 and Equal Education, as well as a request from the Eastern Cape Office of the Chief State Law Advisor, Premier’s Office (E/C OCSLA) for the translation into an additional language, the publication period has been extended until 5 December 2025. Translated versions have been received as required by law and the submission is en route for the Minister’s approval for extension in order to introduce the translated versions into the publication space for a period of no less than 30 calendar days.

The Regulations on the Management of Learner Pregnancy has been approved by the Council for Education Ministers (CEM), and the translated version is awaited.

All other regulations are before the OCSLA for constitutional vetting and translation, which include: The Prohibition of the payment of unauthorised remuneration or the giving of other financial benefits, or benefits in kind to certain employees; the National Education Information System; Election of School Governing Body (SGB) members; and the Minimum Norms and Standards for provincial educator development institutes and district educator development centres.

Home Education regulations are currently being finalised by the Task Team, before being submitted to the OCSLA.

Mr James Ndlebe, Chief Director for Planning and Implementation Support said that the presentation indicated clear movement in terms of the Admission and the Language Policies that the DBE has been working on, prioritising first, former model C schools for support as this is where multilingual communities reside. There have been successes in the addition of other languages in monolingual schools and the extension of the number of classes to cater for new introduced languages. Schools are working closely with Circuit Managers and admission coordinators in this regard for support and intervention to ensure the compliance of admission and language policies of SGBs to the amended school Act. We are on the ground to ensure that there is common interpretation of the BELA Act in the sector through mediation and training of all stakeholders involved.

Advocate Zukile Ntshwanti, Acting Chief Director for Legal and Legislative Services sketched the way forward in respect of the BELA Act Regulations: An application will be tendered with the Department of Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) for the issuance of the Socio-Economic Impact Assessment Certificates and tabling before the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC), is also required. OCSLA requires 65 working days or less to finalise the translation process.

In terms of section 61(3) of SASA, the Regulations on the Management of Learner Pregnancy and Admission of Learners to Public Schools, must be tabled in Parliament before these Regulations are signed into law by the Minister.