The Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill (Bela) reaffirms the ban on corporal punishment by proposing to amend section 10 of the Schools Act to state that corporal punishment is “abolished” in all educational settings, including in hostels, and by introducing a comprehensive definition of corporal punishment. While public interest organisations have welcomed the renewed commitment to abolish corporal punishment indicated by the Bela, these changes to the Schools Act will not be effective without stronger enforcement of the ban on corporal punishment as well as better support and training for schools and educators on alternative forms of discipline from the Department of Basic Education.
Corporal punishment ban in SA schools, more than two decades later: More needs to be done
