Description:
We, the undersigned principals, educators, parents, and community members, strongly oppose Section 19 of the BELA Bill, which allows children as young as 3–4 years old to be admitted into public schools before the official Grade R admission age.

Why This Matters:
• Disrupts ECD: Early Childhood Development centres provide the nurturing, play-based learning environment 3–4 year olds need. Moving them into schools too early disrupts their growth.
• Children Are Not Ready: Most under-5s are not socially, emotionally, or physically prepared for structured schooling.
• Strains Public Schools: Schools are already overcrowded and under-resourced; adding younger children will reduce quality of education for all.
• Parents & ECD Voices Ignored: Communities believe children should not be rushed into formal education.

Our Request:

We call on the Department of Basic Education to:
• Remove or amend Section 19 of the BELA Bill.
• Strengthen support for ECD centres for children aged 0–5.
• Consult meaningfully with ECD principals and parents before making such decisions.

Let’s protect childhood, support ECD, and give our children the right start.