Chairperson, hon Minister, the hon House, the South African Council for Educators was established in 1995 after an agreement between the state as employer of educators and the trade unions on behalf of the employees. This professional council is intended to register educators and be able to discipline them if they are in breach of their code of conduct. This means that the South African Council of Educators, Sace, would therefore be not more of an extension of the education labour relations council, but rather a professional body which promotes and controls the profession.
The Bill provides that in the appointment of the members due consideration should be given to representation in respect of race, gender, disability and geographic distribution, and this is most welcome. It is also of interest to note that the members to be appointed by the Minister would first be nominated by various specified organisations, and this process also is democratic and welcome.
The Bill further clearly sets out the functions of the Sace: It shall develop, maintain and promote the image of the profession, it shall register educators who comply with determined minimum criteria and it shall, from time to time, review a code of professional ethics for educators. The Bill was published for public comment by the various roleplayers and the final product, now before this hon House, was a joint venture. The UCDP is in full support of the Bill. [Applause.]