Deputy Chairperson and hon Worth, yes, clause 9 of the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill that will be tabled this year seeks to amend the SA Schools Act, Sasa, of 1996 by prohibiting noneducational activities during school time.
The Bill further supplements the regulation for safety measures at public schools that create a framework for political office bearers and public representatives to have a right to visit public schools in the interests of public accountability. Although these regulations specify that such a visit may not disrupt the school, the proposed amendment makes matters tighter by stipulating that the teaching time of learners may only be used for educational activities.
Political organisations whose members visit schools may, therefore, not disrupt teaching and learning during regulated hours. I'm not aware of any action that has been taken against any organisation as yet. The amendments to the law that I have spoke about will, once passed, empower authorities to take action against those robbing our youth of their valuable learning time.
Let me conclude by saying that this is not a matter of law; it's a violation of effectiveness. It is a matter of society in general and stakeholders in particular to value and protect the inalienable right of learners to access quality education without interruption. We owe this to our children and future generations. Let us not disappoint them. I thank you.