The implementation of the Basic Education Law Amendment (Bela) Bill has sparked mixed feelings among many South Africans.
In the West Coast this was no different. Although welcomed by many, others believed that their voices and concerns were heard, but it came as a shock when president Cyril Ramaphosa officially signed off on the bill on Friday 13 September. Ramaphosa however announced the delay of implementation on two clauses; clause four and clause five.
Clause four gives the Basic Education Department greater control over admissions policy, while clause five compels the school governing body to submit the school’s language policy to the provincial head of department for approval.
Norman van Wyk, a community activist and ward committee member in the West Coast, said he can honestly say that he does not agree with the Bela Bill in its entirety. “I have reservations with many of the clauses in the bill. I am against having the bill signed into law without those reservations being addressed and the bill being returned to the general public and for our inputs to be considered.”
Councillor Theresa Rossouw said she welcomes the implementation of the Bela Bill. Rossouw agrees with all the clauses, especially the clause stating parents will be held accountable if their children do not attend school. “We have a high drop-out rate, poor attendance at various schools and because education is key to the future of our country, children must attend school from Grade R to Grade 12. There should be no debate on this fact, nor should parents be begged by the schools to have their children attend as the law demands. It is compulsory by law for children to attend school till the age of 15,” said Rossouw.
Supporting the bill Rossouw said the bill will allow children adequate and better access to schools, as the bill will disallow School Governing Bodies to discriminate due to language, social standing, class, income or residence of learners. “The government will administrate and regulate this,” she said.
Van Wyk however feels that government never published the outcome of the public participation results on whether South Africans wanted the bill or not. “Its not a true reflection of transparency and democratic centralisation as our constitution reflects, thus the bill must be returned to the public and solid workshops should be held where the public can share in what the bill should contain and entail.”
