The Pestalozzi Trust, requests an extension of time for comment on the proposed draft Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill, not only for the trust but for all other Interested and Affected Parties. Reasons for an extension include: home educators have been procedurally prejudiced by lack of prior notice; the prescribed comment period (October-November) is a period of preparation for and taking of exams for home educating families; the need for detailed consultation with our members before responding; the impacts of the proposed changes are not merely technical, but may have multiple complex substantive financial, curricular, time, and legal impacts on home educating families and their supporting and representative organisations; the changes do not merely edit elements of the previous law but include entirely new provisions; many consequences thereof that may be unintended by the authors of the proposal bill and if not remedied may lead to unnecessary litigation which is neither in the interests of the Department of Basic Education, home educators nor any other party; we and other organisations will need to take legal counsel on constitutional and other issues after consulting our members. The 15th December to 15th January festive season should be excluded from the consultation period, in accordance with government policy. We thus request the comment deadline for all parties be extended to the 15 February 2018. We would be most appreciative if this request for an extension of the closing date for comments could receive your urgent consideration and that you communicate your decision to us within 7 (seven) working days.