FOR SA successfully protects church access to school venues!

Facts

‍In September 2024, the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act was signed into law. While some of its more controversial clauses are still pending implementation, parents continue to express concern. Issues include threats to language rights, potential discrimination against undocumented learners, and a reduction in the authority of School Governing Bodies (SGBs) over school policies. Homeschooling parents are also facing burdensome new regulations.

FOR SA actively engaged with the Department of Basic Education during the drafting of the BELA Act to address a crucial concern. Initially, there was a clause that would have removed the power of SGBs to rent school venues to external groups, including churches, and handed this authority to the MEC for Education.

Thanks to FOR SA’s intervention, this clause was successfully amended. The final version of the Act allows SGBs to retain control over rental agreements for leases under 12 months, ensuring that religious organisations can continue renting school premises for meetings and activities.

Without FOR SA's Involvement

‍Religious organisations that rely on school venues for worship and gatherings would have faced serious challenges, with many possibly forced to find alternative venues or cease their activities. While other aspects of the BELA Act are still of concern, no direct religious freedom issues remain in its final version.