Basic Education: Four Sets of BELA-Linked Draft Regulations Gazetted

Posted 19 August 2026 Written by Acts Online
Category Education

Brought to you by SA Legal Academy: The Department of Basic Education has released four sets of draft regulations under the South African Schools Act, No. 84 of 1996, which form the operational framework for the implementation of the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act, No. 32 of 2024 (BELA Act).

Under the statutory framework, three sets of draft regulations were gazetted on 6 August with a public comment deadline of 5 September, while a fourth set was gazetted on 11 August with comments due by 10 September.

Overview of the Four Draft Regulatory Proposals

  • Teacher Development Norms and Standards: Published on 6 August, these draft minimum norms and standards govern provincial teacher development institutes and district teacher development centres to establish baseline requirements for professional development infrastructure.
  • School Governing Body (SGB) Election Framework: Published on 6 August, this draft notice establishes a uniform national framework regulating SGB elections, governance mandates, and operational compliance.
  • SGB Compensation to State Employees: Published on 6 August, these draft regulations strictly govern the circumstances under which an SGB may compensate state-employed educators or personnel for genuine additional work. All financial remuneration, benefits in kind, or additional allowances will be prohibited unless formally authorised by the Department under prescribed oversight procedures.
  • National Education Information System: Published on 11 August, these draft regulations create a structured national regulatory framework for collecting, verifying, storing, securing, and managing education sector data.

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: Legal practitioners and advisors must review the specific submission deadlines (5 and 10 September) to submit comments or advise affected stakeholders on impending governance shifts.
  • For your business: Education law practices and consultants must audit their compliance advisory packs for public schools to align with tighter restrictions on SGB additional payments and new election directives.
  • For your clients: Public schools, SGBs, and state educators face strict prohibitions on direct supplementary compensation without prior formal department authorisation, creating direct compliance and financial reporting risks.

Originally published at https://legalacademy.co.za/news/read/basic-education-minister-unpacks-bela-related-draft-regulations

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