President Cyril Ramaphosa earlier this year signed the National Health Insurance Bill into law, and is set to sign the BELA Bill at the Union Buildings on Friday
(The Post News)- President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to sign the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill into law on Friday, despite opposition from several political parties and organisations.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has warned that legal action will be taken as soon as the bill is signed, saying it will rock the Government of National Unity (GNU). The BELA Bill amends sections of the South African Schools Act of 1996 and the Employment of Educators Act, 1998, to account for developments in the education landscape.
However, opponents argue that it takes power away from school governing bodies and gives it to the government, which they say is dictatorial.The DA says it is not threatening to exit the GNU, but rather, it is President Ramaphosa who is threatening the unity government by signing the bill without consulting his partners.
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) has also called on Ramaphosa to sit down with all political parties and find a compromise on the bill. Education activist Hendrick Makaneta has urged Ramaphosa to ensure that the bill complies with the Constitution, particularly with regards to mother tongue education.
AfriForum, a civil rights group, has threatened to take legal steps as soon as the bill is signed, saying it views the bill as an attempt at cultural ethnic cleansing.
ActionSA has expressed disappointment but not surprise at the signing of the bill, saying it shows that President Ramaphosa is determined to push through with the bill despite opposition. The party has called on the DA to take action to protect the interests of children and teachers.
The signing of the BELA Bill has sparked controversy and raised concerns about the future of education in South Africa. With legal action looming, it remains to be seen what the consequences will be.If the DA was truly an equal partner in the coalition, they would have stopped the BELA Bill from being signed.
But President Ramaphosa is pushing forward despite the Minister of Basic Education’s opposition,” said Lerato Ngobeni, ActionSA’s Parliamentary caucus chief whip.“Its time for the DA to put their words into action and protect the interests of children and teachers. If they fail to do so, it will show that they are more interested in keeping their luxury cars and ministerial benefits than in safeguarding the integrity of our education system,” said Lerato Ngobeni.
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