John Steenhuisen warns Cyril Ramaphosa against signing education bill
Education Bill Sparks Massive Controversy: South Africa’s School Laws Under Fire
In South Africa, a significant storm is brewing over the proposed Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill, and the political climate is tense. This bill, which President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to sign into law on Friday, 13 September 2024, has sparked a fierce debate among the country’s political leaders and could impact the fragile coalition government known as the Government of National Unity (GNU).
The Democratic Alliance (DA), the second-largest party in the GNU, has raised alarm bells about the potential implications of the BELA Bill. DA leader and Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, has warned that signing the bill in its current form could have “destructive implications” for the GNU’s future. He argues that it would undermine the good faith that the coalition agreement was built upon, potentially leading to a severe rift within the government.
The BELA Bill, initially introduced by former Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga in January 2022 and passed by Parliament in May 2024, aims to amend key sections of the South African Schools Act and the Employment of Educators Act.
Some of its notable provisions include:
- Allowing schools to set their own language and admission policies while giving the Department of Basic Education the final say.
- Regulating school governing bodies more closely.
- Making Grade R a compulsory starting age for school.
- Criminalizing parental neglect in ensuring their children attend school.
- Regulating home education.
- Confirming the ban on corporal punishment.
While many have welcomed aspects of the bill, such as the expanded definition of corporal punishment and stricter regulations against child abuse, there are growing concerns about the bill’s impact on school governance and state control over education. Critics argue that the bill centralizes power and undermines the role of local governing bodies and parents in shaping educational policies.
Education Bill Sparks Massive Controversy: South Africa’s School Laws Under Fire
The DA, along with the Freedom Front Plus, is vocal in its opposition to the bill. They fear that it could lead to a significant backlash, including potential legal challenges and a possible exodus from public schools if implemented as is. Steenhuisen and new Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube have called on President Ramaphosa to reconsider and send the bill back to Parliament for amendments, emphasizing the need to address constitutional concerns and the rights to mother-tongue education.
On the other hand, the ANC, which introduced the BELA Bill and sees it as a crucial step towards educational reform, is pushing for its immediate implementation. ANC Gauteng chairperson and Premier Panyaza Lesufi has urged Ramaphosa to sign the bill into law, arguing that it aligns with the party’s vision for a more inclusive and standardized education system.
The Deputy Minister of Basic Education, Dr. Reginah Mhaule, supports the bill, asserting that it addresses the evolving needs of South African communities and aims to create a more equitable education system by harmonizing school governance with departmental oversight.
As President Ramaphosa faces mounting pressure from both allies and critics, the decision to sign or amend the BELA Bill could either reinforce or unravel the delicate balance of the GNU. The coming days will be pivotal in determining the future of South Africa’s education policy and the stability of its coalition government.
Big changes coming for schools in South Africa:
Recently, Unisa made headlines by launching the Unisa Open School (UOS), which offers online education for Grades 10 and 11. They’ve mentioned that the UOS is registered with the South African Comprehensive Assessment Institute (SACAI), and since SACAI is accredited by Umalusi, students who complete their NSC exams through UOS could receive a National Senior Certificate from Umalusi.
However, Umalusi has raised some concerns about this development. On September 5th, Umalusi emphasized that they do not currently accredit any online schools. They explained that just because an online school is registered with an accredited assessment body like SACAI, it doesn’t mean the school itself meets Umalusi’s standards for accreditation.
Biki Lepota, Umalusi’s senior manager for public relations, advised parents to be extra cautious and to verify with institutions like the IEB or SACAI to ensure that the online schools are properly registered.
Lepota also pointed out that while Umalusi doesn’t accredit online schools right now, this might change in the future. He noted that there’s no current regulation for online schools in South Africa. For an online school to be considered for accreditation, it would need to formally request a concession from Umalusi to administer NSC exams, but no such requests have been granted yet.
He reassured that the Department of Basic Education is actively working on creating regulations to govern how online schools can be registered and accredited in the future. 4o mini
Stay tuned for updates as this critical issue unfolds.
