SAELA -SA Education Law Association

20/08/2026

🌟 EXCO MEMBER OF THE MONTH | AUGUST 2026 🌟

This month, we are proud to introduce Jonathan van Gesselleen, Director at DKVG Attorneys and a valued member of the SAELA EXCO.

With a passion for education, governance and meaningful problem-solving, Jonathan brings valuable insight and commitment to the SAELA community. Beyond his professional life, he is a keen cyclist and values quality time with his wife and children.

For Jonathan, SAELA is more than a professional association — it is a community committed to legal excellence, sound governance and constructive engagement in education.

11/08/2026

📢 The PowerPoint Presentations are now available!

The presentation slides from the SAELA 30th International Education Law Conference have been uploaded to our website and are now available for viewing and download.

Thank you to all our presenters for sharing their knowledge and expertise. We hope these resources continue to inspire and support your work.

CLICK HERE - https://saela.co.za/conference-presentations/

08/08/2026

📚 MONTHLY ARTICLE | August 2026

This month we explore “The Anatomy of a Fair School Disciplinary Hearing: Procedural Justice in the Post-BELA Era” by Jonathan Van Gesselleen.

The article highlights the key principles of procedural fairness in school disciplinary hearings and the importance of protecting both the rights of learners and the integrity of the school’s disciplinary process.

A valuable read for anyone involved in education law and school governance.

07/08/2026

Fedsas-hoof vir leiersrol in SA onderwys vereer

Dr. Jaco Deacon, uitvoerende hoof van die Federasie van Beheerliggame van Suid-Afrikaanse Skole, is vandeesweek vir sy leierskapsrol in die onderwys vereer.

07/08/2026

Making the law accessible is an important part of advancing the right to education.

The Equal Education Law Centre (EELC) has developed this informative and user-friendly booklet to make the South African Schools Act easier to understand. It is a valuable resource for learners, parents, educators, school governing bodies and communities who want to better understand their rights and responsibilities within our education system.

Well done to the EELC for translating complex legal information into practical, accessible guidance.

Download the booklet here:
https://eelawcentre.org.za/wp-content/uploads/sasa-booklet_by-eelc.pdf

06/08/2026

A strong conclusion to the SAELA Conference

The final morning of the conference offered two engaging and thought-provoking sessions.

The higher education panel explored whether future educators are being adequately prepared for the legal and practical realities of the teaching profession. Perspectives from higher education and organised labour enriched the discussion and highlighted the importance of equipping educators with a sound understanding of education law.

The conference concluded with the annual Hans Visser Memorial Session, a valued SAELA tradition focusing on recent case law, judgments and legal developments. Presenters considered important developments relating to school governance, maternity and parental leave, and the relationship between learner admissions, school capacity and the right to basic education.

These sessions provided a fitting conclusion to a conference characterised by meaningful engagement, diverse perspectives and a shared commitment to the continued development of education law in South Africa.

06/08/2026

Are we preparing future educators for the realities of modern education?

This thought-provoking SAELA panel explored a critical question: "Education Law in Teacher Preparation: Are we equipping future educators for reality?"

Bringing together leading voices from higher education, the discussion examined whether teacher preparation programmes are adequately equipping future educators to navigate the legal, ethical and practical realities of today's schools.

Thank you to our distinguished panelists:
Prof Chika Sehoole
Prof André du Plessis
Mr Basil Manuel

The session sparked meaningful discussion on strengthening teacher education and ensuring that educators enter the profession with the knowledge and confidence needed to meet the challenges of an evolving education landscape.

05/08/2026

Practical workshops concluded yesterday’s SAELA Conference programme with engaging, hands-on discussions on two highly relevant topics.

Prof Mariëtte Reyneke and Prof Roelf Reyneke presented a workshop on Restorative Discipline and Bullying, exploring constructive approaches to discipline, accountability and rebuilding relationships within school communities.

Mr Riaan van der Bergh presented Teaching in the Age of AI: Rights, Risk and Regulation, focusing on the opportunities and legal challenges associated with artificial intelligence in education.

The workshops gave delegates an opportunity to engage directly with practical scenarios, exchange experiences and consider workable responses to some of the most pressing issues facing schools today.

05/08/2026

Day 2 at the SAELA Conference delivered another outstanding programme of thought-provoking papers and practical discussions.

Delegates engaged with a wide range of current issues in education law and policy, including: 📚 Learners' perspectives on the resources schools need. ⚖️ School governance, learner placement and language policy following the Swartruggens judgment. 🏫 The professional status of school principals and SGB appointment processes. 👩‍🏫 Regulating entry into the teaching profession and SACE's vetting responsibilities. 🤖 Artificial intelligence, technology and emerging legal risks in education. 🔐 Data governance, privacy and educational information. 💻 Online learning, digital responsibility and the legal implications of technology in schools. 📝 Practical workshops on learner safety, legal compliance and developments in education law.

The papers reflected SAELA's commitment to bringing together academics, legal practitioners, policymakers and education leaders to engage with the issues shaping the future of education in South Africa.
Thank you to all our presenters and delegates for contributing to another day of insightful discussion and meaningful engagement.

04/08/2026

Rights need resources. Learners need a voice.

One of the highlights of the SAELA Conference was our Learner Panel, where learners shared honest, thoughtful and inspiring perspectives on what schools truly need to create environments in which every learner can thrive.

A special thank you to:
Hlumelo Shongwe (Andrew Rabie High School)
Ncumisa Noda (Strelitzia High School)
Maurishan Hendricks (Otto du Plessis High School)
Esihle Tshoni (Lawson Brown High School) for your confidence, insight and willingness to share your experiences. Your contributions reminded us that meaningful education policy and practice must always be informed by the voices of learners.

The discussion reinforced an important message: when learners are given a platform to speak, they do more than identify challenges—they offer valuable perspectives that can help shape the future of education.