The public has spoken on the controversial Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill. Although President Ramaphosa signed the bill into law today, a three-month period has been granted for further discussions on two specific clauses concerning schools' language and admissions policies. These clauses will not be implemented immediately.
Nolu Maki, spokesperson for DearSA, says that the organisation's campaign to facilitate public comment and participation on the BELA Act received over 2211 new submissions. “This marks the highest level of feedback DearSA has received for any campaign within a 48-hour period.”
Public participation has long been a cornerstone of the democratic system, and for more than two millennia, democracy has embodied the principle that the will of the people should prevail as the final governing authority.
The primary opposition to the bill centered on the two clauses related to language of instruction and admissions policies, which would transfer decision-making authority from individual school governing bodies to provincial departments of education. Opposition parties have voiced concerns over these clauses, citing inadequate opportunities for comprehensive discussions prior to the bill's approval. Notably, Minister of Education Siviwe Gwarube did not attend the signing, signaling her opposition to the BELA Bill.
DearSA is pleased that the voices of public participants were acknowledged and that various groups successfully advocated for President Ramaphosa to allow an additional three months for discussions.
“Public participation is now more crucial than ever, particularly in the upcoming three months,” Maki emphasises.
Date: 13 Sep 2024
