MEC Chiloane urges President Ramaphosa to sign BELA Bill

Gauteng Education, Sport, Arts, Culture & Recreation MEC, Matome Chiloane, encourages President Cyril Ramaphosa to proceed with the signing of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill on Friday, 13 September, despite opposition from some groups.

This pivotal amendment is designed to strengthen the management and governance of South Africa’s education sector. The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) welcomes the bill as it will empower the Head of Department (HOD) to make critical decisions regarding school admissions and language policies.

This is crucial in assisting the department to manage school admissions effectively and address resistance from certain School Governing Bodies (SGBs) that oppose transformation.

Some of the key amendments in the bill include: Making Grade R compulsory, ensuring that all children receive early childhood education and are better prepared for formal schooling.

Holding parents accountable for ensuring that their school going aged children are enrolled in school

Criminalising the disruption of school activities, ensuring that learners can study in a safe and focused environment.

Compelling SGB members, to declare personal or financial interests to promote transparency and prevent conflicts of interest in school governance.

Empowering the HOD to investigate the financial affairs of schools when irregularities are suspected, ensuring that school funds are managed properly and benefit learners directly.

Imposing penalties for submitting false or forged documents during the admission process, protecting the integrity of the admissions system and ensuring that all learners are treated fairly.

“We fully support the President in signing this bill into law. Changing demographics in our communities mean that it is unacceptable for schools to deny learners access to schools closer to their residence based on language. if numbers dictates that a school must be changed to be a dual medium of instruction, that should happen without interference. Public schools serve the public, and no learner should be excluded. The HOD will be empowered to ensure that language policies are inclusive and responsive to the needs of the community,” said MEC Chiloane.