Government schools will next year begin offering free basic education, while corporal punishment will be abolished in terms of a new law that is set to be introduced.
Authorities will amend the Education Act when Parliament resumes sitting early next year to align the law with Section 27 of the Constitution. Cabinet approved the Education Amendment Bill last week which promotes equitable development of schools across all regions, the learning of local languages and guarantees the rights of people with disabilities among other things. The Bill now awaits gazetting.
In an interview, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Professor Paul Mavima said the proposed law will also require school authorities to use alternative means of disciplining pupils. Said Mavima:
The law basically enjoins the State to progressively fund the learning of every child. Tuition fees will be progressively done away with, while the issue of levies will be dealt with later on. The law will basically outlaw corporal punishment as way of disciplining a child. We have to come up with alternative ways of disciplining and do away with canning.
More: Sunday Mail
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