Understanding the BELA Act in South Africa: What Tutors and Parents Need to Know

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.

Nelson Mandela

Education in South Africa has always been a lively conversation, whether it is about the best schools in Johannesburg, the challenges rural learners face in Limpopo, or the ways parents in Cape Town communities rally around their children. In 2024, a major piece of legislation was signed into law that will shape how children learn for generations to come. This is the BELA Act South Africa, and if you are a parent or a tutor, it is important to understand how it may affect teaching and learning in your home, your neighbourhood, and your wider community.

In a nutshell, the BELA Act, formally known as the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act¹, has been in discussion for many years, with different drafts circulating and sparking debate in schools and among parents. Now that it has become law, it is time to look closely at what is the BELA Bill in practice, especially when it comes to language in education, parental involvement, and the role of tutors.

What is the BELA Bill?

If you have been following the news, you may have seen many headlines asking the same question: what is the BELA Bill? Simply put, it is a wide-ranging set of changes to existing education laws. Some aspects focus on school governance and how principals work with parents and provincial education departments. Other parts deal with attendance rules like making it clear that every child must be in school from Grade R, and that the state can act if learners are out of school for long periods without explanation.

But the part that has caught the most attention, and which is most relevant for tutors and families, is the shift in language policy. This is where the BELA Act becomes very significant, because it tries to ensure that children are taught in their mother tongue for longer, and that every South African language, including South African Sign Language, is given proper recognition.

Why Language Matters in Learning

When children in Soweto, Durban, Mthatha or anywhere, else across our rainbow nation, first step into a classroom, they arrive with a rich understanding of their home language. This is the language they speak with their families, hear on the playground, and use to make sense of the world around them. Research in South Africa and around the world shows that if learners are able to study in this familiar language during their early years, they build stronger literacy skills and perform better in subjects like mathematics and science later on.

Until recently, many schools switched to English or Afrikaans as the medium of instruction after Grade 3. For some learners this was manageable, but for many others it created barriers. Imagine a bright child in the Eastern Cape who is confident in isiXhosa, suddenly expected to learn fractions or grammar in English from Grade 4 onwards. That child is not just learning new content, but also struggling with a new language of teaching. This is where the BELA Act South Africa aims to ease this pressure by extending the use of home languages as teaching mediums and giving schools more flexibility to support learners.

South African Sign Language as a Home Language

Another exciting element of the law is the recognition of South African Sign Language as a home language subject. For many years, Deaf learners and their families have called for proper recognition of their language in schools. Now, with this law, schools will be expected to treat Sign Language with the same importance as spoken languages like Sesotho, isiZulu, or Afrikaans.

This is not only a matter of equality but also a practical step forward. When a Deaf learner can receive the same quality of mother tongue education as a hearing learner, the whole system becomes more inclusive. Tutors who work with learners who use Sign Language will now find their role even more crucial, as they may be asked to help bridge gaps while materials and resources catch up with the new requirements.

The Benefits of Mother Tongue Education

Language is not just about communication. It is tied to identity, culture, and confidence. When learners in KwaZulu-Natal or Mpumalanga are encouraged to use their home languages in formal learning beyond Grade 3, they feel that their culture and family background are valued. This builds pride and self-esteem, which in turn motivates them to succeed academically.

Today, the BELA Act makes it possible for schools to offer teaching in a child’s home language for longer as long resources and teachers allow. Naturally, this leads to better literacy rates, improved understanding in subjects like maths and natural sciences, and a smoother transition to English or Afrikaans when that becomes necessary.

Challenges on the Ground

Of course, laws alone do not change classrooms overnight. Many schools in the Free State or North West already struggle with shortages of teachers, textbooks, and learning materials. Extending teaching in home languages requires trained teachers who are fluent and confident in those languages, as well as quality textbooks and teaching aids.

Tutors may also find that parents are worried about whether learning in a home language will affect their child’s future chances in university or in the job market, where English remains dominant. These are valid concerns, and they remind us that the BELA Act South Africa is not a magic wand. It will take years of careful work, investment, and cooperation between schools, parents, and tutors to make the most of the new opportunities.

What Tutors Should Take Away

For tutors asking what is the BELA Bill, and working through platforms like Superprof, this is the time to adapt and be proactive. Parents will be looking for reassurance that their children are keeping up, whether they are in a township school in Khayelitsha or a suburban school in Sandton. Tutors can play an increasingly vital role by supporting learners in their home languages, while also strengthening their English literacy for the future.

For instance, if you are tutoring isiZulu-speaking learners in Durban, consider how you can incorporate isiZulu explanations into your lessons to reinforce concepts. If you are working with a child in Mitchells Plain who is learning through Afrikaans but speaks English at home, you may need to balance both. And if you are tutoring Deaf learners, you should stay up to date with resources being developed for South African Sign Language so that you can provide accurate and empowering support.

In practice, this might mean building your own library of materials in different languages, collaborating with parents to understand which language their child is strongest in, and staying flexible in your teaching methods. The BELA Bill makes space for creativity, and tutors can become important partners in helping children adjust to new ways of learning.

Looking Ahead

Education is always evolving, and South Africa’s rich cultural and linguistic diversity means that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The BELA Act is not perfect, but it is a step towards making schools more inclusive and more responsive to the realities of learners’ lives. For parents, it is a reminder to engage with schools and make sure their children’s voices are heard. For tutors, it is a chance to broaden their skills and show families that private lessons can complement the changes happening in classrooms.

Whether you are a parent in Pretoria, Port Elizabeth, or Pietermaritzburg who is asking what is the BELA Bill, they are really asking how it will affect their child’s education. The answer is that it brings both opportunities and challenges. Learners will benefit from more time learning in their home language, but schools and tutors will need to work hard to provide the right resources and support.

Embrace Change Embrace Progress

The story of education in South Africa is always shaped by its people. The BELA Act South Africa is not just a piece of legislation on paper. It is about the voices of children learning in isiNdebele in rural schools, parents in Gauteng worrying about the cost of extra lessons, and tutors across the country finding new ways to help learners thrive.

For tutors on Superprof, this is an opportunity to show that you are not only aware of changes in policy but also ready to adapt. By staying flexible, valuing learners’ home languages, and offering supportive, practical guidance, tutors can become a bridge between the promise of the new law and the everyday reality of learners.

As the country embraces this change, the BELA Bill will continue to spark conversations in households, staff rooms, and neighbourhoods. Of course, the real measure of its success, over time,  will be seen in the confidence and achievement of South Africa’s young learners, but with the right support from families and tutors, that success is well within reach.