President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill into law, marking a significant step toward addressing long-standing issues in South Africa’s education system. During the signing, Ramaphosa emphasized that the BELA Act aims to tackle problems such as school admission discrimination, unequal access to education, and financial barriers faced by many students.
However, Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube, who took office earlier this year as part of the Government of National Unity (GNU), was notably absent from the event. Gwarube's appointment has been a point of contention, given her membership in the Democratic Alliance (DA), a party that has raised objections to certain aspects of the BELA Bill.
Despite the coalition formed by the African National Congress (ANC) and the DA following the ANC's failure to secure a majority, Gwarube expressed concerns over key provisions, including language policies, public school admissions, and the gradual introduction of compulsory Grade R.
The minister called on Parliament to address these unresolved issues, underscoring the need for all learners to access quality education. While acknowledging the need for compromise within the GNU, Gwarube highlighted her discussions with the President, focusing on the importance of resolving these disagreements to avoid future legal disputes.
What is the BELA Bill?
The BELA Act introduces mandatory Grade R, tighter homeschooling regulations, and enhanced language policy fairness, while also reinforcing the ban on corporal punishment and increasing oversight of school governing bodies.
Delay in BELA Act Implementation
Despite the signing, Ramaphosa announced a three-month delay in implementing certain key clauses, particularly those concerning language and admission policies, to allow for further discussion and collaboration. One of the amendments requires school governing bodies to submit language policies for departmental approval to ensure they reflect the linguistic needs of the surrounding community.
The delay, which affects clauses 4 and 5, was prompted by feedback from GNU coalition partners. Ramaphosa urged all stakeholders to work together toward ensuring equitable access to quality education for all students.
Parliamentary Response
Joy Maimela, Chair of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, welcomed the BELA Act as a positive reform for South Africa’s educational landscape, though she supported continued dialogue on the delayed clauses.
The committee commends the President for signing into law this very progressive piece of legislation that will see the landscape of schooling in South Africa changing for the better. This is indeed what South Africa needs at this stage.
"The committee notes that this relates to one of the clauses that the President put on hold for three months. We look forward to the engagement on this but continue to call for the full implementation of the Bill."
The Select Committee on Education Chairperson, Makhi Feni, also expressed support, highlighting that the Bill will improve school management and inclusivity while dispelling claims that it unfairly targets Afrikaans-speaking communities.
We welcome the signing of this Bill into law and we believe that it will change the running of the schools for the better. We appreciate that the President has once more opened a window for opponents of this law by asking for further input into the legislation.
Feni criticized Gwarube's absence from the signing, calling it an attempt to undermine the President’s efforts.
