Section 14 of the South African Schools Act (SASA) 84 of 1996 made provision for steps that should be taken by the Provincial Education Departments (PEDs) where a public school is situated on private property. The Department of Basic Education, together with provincial education departments, developed guidelines to assist with speeding up the signing and conclusion of these agreements between the Members of the Executive Councils (MECs) and landowners. The successful conclusion of these agreements enabled access to education by thousands of learners in remote farm areas.