Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

3-minute read
08 November 2024 | 13:37  CAT

ANC study group on basic education in Parliament has urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to implement the Bela Act immediately.

While growing opposition to the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill, the African National Study Group on Basic Education has come forward to clarify its stance. While parties such as the Democratic Alliance (DA), Afriforum, Freedom Front Plus, and the Patriotic Alliance have voiced concerns that the BELA Bill threatens mother tongue education and strips decision-making power from school governing bodies, the Study Group firmly disagrees, labelling these claims as misleading.

The BELA Bill, the Group contends, is designed not to limit language choices in education but to promote inclusivity and ensure language barriers hinder no learner. According to the Study Group spokesperson, Tshepo Louw, the purpose of the BELA Bill is “to bring equality in our school’s educational system” by encouraging multilingualism and ensuring all learners, especially from the black majority, have unrestricted access to quality education. He emphasized that the bill does not attempt to reduce the significance of any language, including Afrikaans, but aims to foster an equitable, inclusive learning environment.

One key issue raised by the opposition is the alleged reduction of power for School Governing Bodies (SGBs). Critics claim that the bill would allow government departments to override SGB decisions, undermining local control. However, Louw disputes this, stating that the government’s role would be to provide oversight rather than replace SGBs, ensuring policies align with constitutional values of inclusivity and accessibility. “The act does not entirely diminish the role of the SGB,” Louw asserts. Rather, the department’s involvement aims to prevent biased policies that exclude certain learners.

Speaking to Radio Islam International, Louw urges South Africans to view public education as a national trust. He argues that as demographics shift, public schools must evolve to reflect these changes and cater to society’s diverse needs. “A school should be an institution that transforms society,” he says, stressing that inclusivity in education can build a more united and prosperous South Africa.

In conclusion, Louw calls on the President to sign the BELA Bill into law to enable an equitable education system by 2025, envisioning a future where all learners can thrive without discrimination or exclusion.

Listen here to the full interview on The Daily Round Up with Moulana Junaid Kharsay and Thsepo Louw.