Department of Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube maintains that the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill is in its current form and must be amended. This comes as President Cyril Ramaphosa prepares his pen to sign the BELA bill into law.
I have always and remain opposed to the Bill in its current form and have requested the President to refer it back to Parliament for reconsideration regarding section 79 of the Constitution.
Gwarube was appointed as Minister of Basic Education by Ramaphosa earlier this year as part of the Government of National Unity. Ramaphosa’s African National Congress (ANC) failed to garner enough support to govern outright and elected to share governance of South Africa with several other parties including the Democratic Alliance (DA) which is Gwarube’s political home.
The DA has been opposed to several aspects of the BELA Bill and experts foresaw that this could be a major point of contention following the appointment of a DA member as the Basic Education minister.
GNU’s BELA Bill Speedbump
Gwarabu indicated that she will not attend the signing of the Bill until their concerns are rectified.
These concerns address the constitutionality of public school admissions and language policies, and the phased implementation of compulsory Grade R, depending on the capacity of provincial education departments, public schools, and early childhood development centres.
Parliament must be allowed to fix what is currently wrong with the Bill so that millions of learners across the country can access and receive quality education for a better South Africa.
Gwarube acknowledges that for the GNU to work there must be compromise and has revealed that she has engaged with the president on the BELA Bill.
In the context of a Government of National Unity, it is essential that compromises reflect the people's will. That is why I have been engaged with the President on this matter. We must consider the objections to the Bill and ensure that it is rectified to avoid protracted and costly legal action.
The minister indicated that her Northstar will remain to ensure that millions of learners in South Africa can access quality education.
I remain ready to serve South Africa and ensure that millions of learners across the country can access quality education.
