According to the National Education Policy Act (NEPA) the minister must first consult with the Council of Education Ministers (CEM) before introducing new legislation in parliament. This council consists of the provincial education ministers and the national education minister. It is expected that the Basic Education Law Amendment (BELA) Bill will soon be discussed at CEM. The time has come for home educators to call on their elected representatives to protect their rights and freedoms.

There are many reasons to be concerned that the BELA Bill will infringe on the rights and freedoms of home educators and could have a significant social and economic impact.

+ The bill does not take cognisance of constitutional issues, for example the home visit provision that infringes on the right to privacy.

+ The bill was drafted without any basis in research. For example there is no credible research on the number of home learners.

+ The Socio Economic Impact Assessment (SEIA) has not considered the budgetary impact of the bill on parents and provinces.

+ The bill does not take into account conflicts with provincial law and regulations.

In the space below, write a paragraph describing the following:

- How long you have been homeschooling.

- What it means for your family