By Johnathan Paoli
After waiting for more than three months, South Africans have clarity on the Basic Education Laws Amendment (Bela) Act. It will be implemented in its entirety, including the contentious Sections 4 and 5, and is effective immediately.
President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasised the Act’s critical role on Friday in ensuring equitable access to quality education for all children, regardless of their circumstance, language or location.
“This Act is vital to the transformation of the education system in our country. The Act is an important part of ongoing efforts to build an education system that is more effective and more equitable in line with the precepts of our Constitution,” Ramaphosa said in a statement.
He reaffirmed that the Constitution guaranteed the right to receive education in the official language of one’s choice, where reasonably practicable, and noted that the law was a crucial step in addressing systemic inequalities and preparing children for success in life.
“We must ensure that no language is diminished. Rather, we must work to ensure that all official languages are valued and promoted,” he said.
Ramaphosa stressed that last week, the GNU clearing house submitted its final report, recommending the full implementation of the legislation without returning it to Parliament for amendments.
“The GNU clearing house participants agreed that the Act be fully implemented. This view was endorsed by the leaders of the parties to the GNU in a meeting I held with them today,” he said.
Ramaphosa has instructed Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube to see to the full implementation of the legislation, ensuring that the education system was prepared for universal Grade R access and developing consequential regulations outlining the norms and standards for implementation.
The president called on all officials and bodies involved in the Act’s implementation to uphold constitutional principles, policies and regulations, emphasising the need to prioritise equality and quality in education.
“We must leave no child behind. Let us ensure that our children get the best education so that they can take our beautiful country and diverse nation forward to a prosperous future,” he said.
The announcement comes on the backdrop of weeks of increasing tension, with Solidarity and AfriForum insisting on the Act being implemented with Sections 4 and 5, concerning language and admission, be suspended until norms and regulations have been finalised.
Conversely, the SA Democratic Teachers’ Union had threatened legal and protest action unless Ramaphosa implemented the legislation in full.
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