The Western Cape Education Department plans to make provision for the registration of online schools and is calling for public comment on the regulations that will govern the registration process.
This would not however, be immediately apparent to anyone because the regulations are entitled, “Draft Regulations relating to the Registration of and Subsidies to Independent Schools” it is only when you peel the first layer back that you discover this is also about the registration of online schools.
A bit of hesitancy on the WCED’s part may be understandable given the different approaches different provincial departments are taking to online education, but, this information doesn’t seem to be widely known by role-players in the sector.
The deadline for comment is 30 days from 20 May which could mean comment is due as early as 17 June or at the latest 20 June. It would have been nice if stakeholders and interested and affected parties knew.
The most important action to take is to email Mr William Jantjies, Director: Institutional Management and Governance at either or both these email addresses william.jantjies@westerncape.gov.za / wayne.blauw@westerncape.gov.za and to ask for
at least a 30 day extension to study the regulations and make comments.
You can offer the following grounds for the request:
· You are a stakeholder in the field and the WCED knows of your interest but you were not notified (This will only apply to some organisations, but is a powerful argument for those to whom it does apply).
· You are a stakeholder/interested and affected party and you have only become aware of the call for comment now and were not aware of any advocacy conducted to make the public aware of this opportunity for comment.
· Online education is an important modality for the future of education in the Western Cape and the widest number of interested and affected parties should be considered.
· This is a complex piece of regulation that impacts a large number of learners in the province and requires careful consideration as well as the opportunity to get legal advice. The period allowed is too short to do this.
· You wish to get input from learners as the Children’s Act requires that “Every child that is of such an age, maturity and stage of development as to be able to participate in any matter concerning that child has the right to participate in an appropriate way and views expressed by the child must be given due consideration.” Section 10, Children’s Act, 38 of 2005, and this takes time.
· You are a small school/tutor etc. and that May/June is a period when examinations are prepared for and written. Being a small school/self-employed tutor etc. you do not have resources to attend to both exams and a complex commentary on the regulations. These regulations could have a significant impact on you, your school, learners and community and you feel that larger well-resourced schools are at a distinct advantage to make comment. You will be able to comment during the school holidays and request an extension to 30 July.
Choose those that apply to you and be positive when writing to the WCED and thank them for developing these regulations.
Along with the fact that the WCED is way ahead of the game there is good news in the regulations such as subsidies for independent online schools, the recognition that these schools can have “centres”, but other elements that need improving.
This is a starting point for a vital reform in education in South Africa that will impact many other sectors such as home education and micro-schools and is a unique opportunity to inform that process from the ground up.
PS: Also ask exactly when WCED expects comment by.
You can find the regulations here
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