The Department of Basic Education has proposed significant changes to admissions policies at former Model C schools, aiming to prohibit schools from considering factors such as parents'
employment status, household income, learners' academic performance, sporting achievements, and leadership roles when admitting pupils. Supporters argue the reforms will create a more
equitable admissions system and improve access to quality education, while critics warn they could erode the autonomy of school governing bodies and threaten the sustainability of fee-paying public schools. Discussion Points: The legal implications of the proposed admissions policy changes.
The impact on the powers and autonomy of School Governing Bodies (SGBs). Whether the proposals will genuinely improve equitable access to quality education. The potential financial and operational consequences for former Model C schools. What the proposed changes could mean for parents and learners applying to these schools. How to balance transformation, fairness, and the right of schools to manage their own admissions policies.