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South Africa
NATIONAL LEGISLATION OVERVIEWS
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South African Schools Act, No. 84 of 1996

Long title

To provide for a uniform system for the organisation, governance and funding of schools; to amend and repeal certain laws relating to schools; and to provide for matters connected therewith.

Table of contents

SECTION TITLE
PREAMBLE
CHAPTER 1. DEFINITIONS AND APPLICATION OF ACT
1. Definitions
2. Application of Act

CHAPTER 2. LEARNERS
3. Compulsory attendance
4. Exemption from compulsory attendance
5. Admission to public schools
5A. Norms and standards for basic infrastructure and capacity in public schools [...inserted by Act 2007_031_005_20071231]
6. Language policy of public schools
6A. Curriculum and assessment [...inserted by Act 2002_050_003_20021128]
6B. Non-discrimination in respect of official languages [...inserted by Act 2011_015_006_20110919]
7. Freedom of conscience and religion at public schools
8. Code of conduct
8A. Random search and seizure and drug testing at schools [...inserted by Act 2007_031_007_20071231]
9. Suspension and expulsion from public school
10. Prohibition of corporal punishment
10A. Prohibition of initiation practices [...inserted by Act 2002_050_005_20021128]
11. Representative council of learners

CHAPTER 3. PUBLIC SCHOOLS
12. Provision of public schools
12A. Merger of public schools [...inserted by Act 1999_048_000_19991119]
13. Public schools on State property
14. Public schools on private property
15. Status of public schools
16. Governance and professional management of public schools
16A. Functions and responsibilities of principal of public school [...inserted by Act 2007_031_008_20071231]
17. Governing body serving two or more schools
18. Constitution of governing body
18A. Code of conduct of governing body [...inserted by Act 2002_050_006_20021128]
19. Enhancement of capacity of governing bodies
20. Functions of all governing bodies
21. Allocated functions of governing bodies
22. Withdrawal of functions from governing bodies
23. Membership of governing body of ordinary public school
24. Membership of governing body of public school for learners with special education needs
25. Failure by governing body to perform functions
26. Recusal by members of governing body
27. Reimbursement of members of governing body
28. Election of members of governing body
29. Office-bearers of governing bodies
30. Committees of governing body
31. Term of office of members and office-bearers of governing bodies
32. Status of minors on governing bodies of public schools
33. Closure of public schools
33A. Prohibition of political activities during school time [...inserted by Act 2011_015_011_20110919]

CHAPTER 4. FUNDING OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS
34. Responsibility of State
35. Norms and standards for school funding  [...Title amended by Act 2005_025_003_20050126 - was entitled "Norms and standards for funding of public schools"]
36. Responsibility of governing body
37. School funds and assets of public schools
38. Annual budget of public school
38A. Prohibition of payment of unauthorised remuneration, or giving of financial benefit or benefit in kind to certain employees [...inserted by Act 2004_001_002_20040426]
39. School fees at public schools
40. Parent's liability for payment of school fees
41. Enforcement of payment of school fees
42. Financial records and statements of public schools
43. Audit or examination of financial records and statements
44. Financial year of public school

CHAPTER 5. INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS
45. Establishment of independent school
45A. Admission age to independent school [...inserted by Act 2002_050_008_20021128]
46. Registration of independent school
47. Withdrawal of registration of independent school
48. Subsidies to registered independent schools
49. Declaration of independent school as public school
50. Duties of Member of Executive Council relating to independent schools
51. Registration of learner for education at home

CHAPTER 6. TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS
52. Transitional provisions relating to schools other than private schools
53. Transitional provisions relating to private schools
54. Transitional provisions relating to governing bodies
55. Transitional provisions relating to immovable property of certain schools
56. Transitional provisions relating to public schools on private property
57. Transitional provisions relating to private property owned by religious organisation

CHAPTER 7. GENERAL PROVISIONS
58. Expropriation
58A. Alienation of assets of public school [...inserted by Act 2005_024_006_20060126]
58B. Identification of underperforming public schools [...inserted by Act 2007_031_011_20071231]
58C. Compliance with norms and standards [...inserted by Act 2007_031_011_20071231]
59. Duty of schools to provide information
60. Liability of State
61. Regulations
62. Delegation of powers
63. Repeal and amendment of laws
64. Short title and commencement
Sch.1. SCHEDULE 1. [s63]
Sch.2. SCHEDULE 2. (AMENDMENT OF EDUCATORS' EMPLOYMENT ACT, 1994, BY SECTION 63) [s63]

Legislation Text Access Point

Versions
[To check whether a version has commenced, and how it was commenced, please see the Timeline for the Act, and the Annotated Text for the version.]
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As unamended Act 1996_084_000_19961115 EXT.LINK REQ.INFO LINK
As amended by Act 1997_100_000_19971128 .  N/A REQ.INFO LINK
As amended by Act 1999_048_000_19991119 N/A REQ.INFO LINK
As amended by Act 2000_053_000_20001122 N/A REQ.INFO LINK
As amended by Act 2001_057_000_20011205 N/A REQ.INFO LINK
As amended by Act 2002_050_000_20021128 N/A REQ.INFO LINK
As amended by Act 2004_001_000_20040426 N/A REQ.INFO LINK
As amended by Act 2005_024_000_20060126 N/A REQ.INFO LINK
As amended by Act 2007_031_000_20071231 N/A REQ.INFO LINK
As amended by Act 2011_015_000_20110919 N/A REQ.INFO LINK
As amended by ...N/AREQ.INFOLINK

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