Gwarube commits to Bela Act implementation, safeguarding school autonomy

By Simon Nare

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has committed to implementing the Basic Education Law Amendment Act and in accordance with her oath of office.

She also stressed the importance of drafting regulations to provide legal clarity, noting that these are critical for the Act’s proper implementation and must be finalized as soon as possible.

Gwarube was briefing the media on Saturday in Cape Town about her department’s implementation of the Bela Act.

“I want to make it abundantly clear that this Act will be implemented and its implementation will be led by me. This implementation will be done in a manner that protects the rights of all our children and all our schools from victimisation in any form, and at all times,” said Gwarube.

“Pursuant to this, I have instructed my team to immediately develop guidelines that will be sent to all public schools and provincial education departments