Call For Comments On BELA Bill

It is time to sharpen your pencils or more accurately, flex your fingers. The Portfolio Committee on Basic Education has decided to call for public comments on the BELA Bill. Written comments can now be submitted and must reach parliament by 15 June 2022 at 16:00.

We have prepared the attached template (with extra information as a guide) to assist you in writing your comments. We also have a simplified version for kids. Their comments are just as valid as those of adults.

I know there are concerns regarding making your personal details known, but we are now writing to parliament and not the DBE. The role of parliament is to listen to and represent the people. They will not share your details with the relevant department at the DBE or PED as this will undermine the purpose of public engagement. Your voice is most powerful when you can share from personal experience how home education has benefited your family and what implications the proposed regulations will have on you.

Address your comments to Mrs. BP Mbinqo-Gigaba (chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education) and send your submission to Mr. Llewellyn Brown (the committee secretary) via email to belabill02@parliament.gov.za.
Please Bcc us at capehomeed@gmail.com. We would like to keep a tally of the comments submitted.

Please do not send your submission anonymously or in a group. Group submissions count as 1 vote, the same is true of petitions.

I would encourage you to use the Pestalozzi Trust’s system to submit your comments. It allows home educators to keep track of the number of submissions sent and it will show if any email is deleted, undelivered or unopened. Your information will be treated according to the POPI act and will thus not be shared with anyone other than the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education. Click here for the submissions page.

Click here for the latest draft of the BELA Bill.

Comments on the Home Education Roundtable discussion, the Draft Policy on Home Education and the Amended BELA Bill

Hi fellow Home Educators.

Please find attached to this post the CHE’s response to the Minister of Basic Education, Mrs. AM Motshekga, related to the Home Education Roundtable Discussion, the Draft Policy on Home Education as well as the amended BELA Bill.

Please take the time to read and familiarize yourself with the current progress.

Please make use of the Social Media sharing buttons below this post to share to your favorite Social Media platform and help us spread the word.

SACSSA Regional Athletics Meet 2018

The 14th February 2018 was once again time for all our homeschool athletes to compete at the SACSSA Regional Athletics Day against other Christian Schools in the Peninsula. In true Cape Town fashion right now, the temperature was a scorcher, but our athletes came out tops in events ranging from 60m, long distance, shot put, javelin etc… A huge thanks to all the young ones who competed, and to those involved in making it such a success.

Below are some photos, but we know everyone has phones and cameras on them, so if you have some more photos, please email them to lizelle.rademeyer at gmail.com

SACSSA Sports Day 2017 – Photo Gallery

On the 22nd February on a sweltering day with temperatures reaching 36 degrees, the athletes under the umbrella of the CHE took part in the SACSSA Athletics day. The atmosphere was electric with the different schools chanting their war cries as the spurred on their friends.

Children between the ages of 6 – 18 competed against other Christian schools in the peninsula. Events ranged from track events like 60m sprints for the little ones to long distance races for those with stamina to brave the heat. There were also field events like javelin, high jump, long jump etc..

In all, a great day was had by all with many of our athletes going on the represent CHE at the regional finals and doing us all proud.

Here are some pictures to enjoy.

Homeschool Expo 2017

The annual Homeschool Expo in Cape Town is organised by Cape Home Educators in co-operation with Kragdag. It offers a number of things to make it worthwhile for parents that are considering home education, parents that have just started and experienced parents. There is a curriculum expo with a large variety of exhibitors. At the seminar experts will discuss various subjects related to home education. Seasoned homeschooling parents will share their experiences during the workshops. You can meet other homeschooling parents in the food court and there is plenty of space for children to play.

Date : 14 October 2017 

Time : 09h00 – 15h00

Place : El Shaddai Christian School (Langeberg Road 6, Durbanville, Cape Town) 

Cost : R50 per adult – free for children under 18 years

Enquiries: 087 231 1644 | expo@tuisskolers.org

CHE remembers Leendert van Oostrum

Dear Fellow Home Educators

Leendert van Oostrum, a home education father, pioneer, counsellor, and activist, sadly passed away on 13 October 2016.

In the early 1990’s, Leendert was a major player in legalizing home education in South Africa. He founded the Pestalozzi Trust, the South African Legal Defence Fund, as well as various home education associations nationwide and penned much of the law concerning Home Education in the RSA.

leendert-van-oostrum-715x400His thesis on Home Education in South Africa received a post graduate qualification (M.Ed Cum Laude), the first in this field.

A well known face in the Courts, provincial and national parliaments and the High Court, Leendert tirelessly testified, challenged and educated, never ceasing to fight for the freedom and sacred rights of parents to raise and educate their own children. Leading by example by successfully home educating his own three daughters.

On an international level, he was a speaker at the Global Home Education Conference in Rio De Janeiro. Helping to organise it and connecting Home Educators world wide. For years, he appeared on TV programmes and radio talk shows, discussing and defending the topic.

Furthermore, on ground level, he encouraged parents, informed them of their rights, supported and became a friend to all who ventured into this controversial field. Famously drawing big crowds at Home Education Expos and Talks. Considered by all to be an expert, thousands gleaned from his wisdom and bold instruction.

Home educators in South Africa are truly indebted to Leendert for the role he has played throughout the years.

As a homeschooling community we hope and pray that a suitable replacement will be found to take up the baton and continue the good work which Leendert has done faithfully over the years.

We sincerely thank him in his absence, and his family for the sacrifices and commitment in assisting him to fulfill this role for the benefit of others.

Kind Regards
Victor Sabbe
CHE Chairman