The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) recently passed the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill, setting the stage for substantial changes in school governance and parental responsibilities.
NCOP passes the BELA Bill
The NCOP’s approval of the BELA Bill marks a critical step in the legislative process.
With eight provinces voting in favour and one against, during a seating on Tuesday, the Bill now returns to the National Assembly for further consideration due to amendments made by the NCOP.
The BELA Bill explained in simple terms
The BELA Bill seeks to amend several aspects of basic education laws in South Africa.
Key provisions include making Grade R attendance compulsory and enhancing penalties for preventing children from attending school.
The Bill also aims to centralise certain decision-making processes, such as the approval of school admission and language policies, which would shift from school governing bodies to the Department of Basic Education heads.
Additionally, it introduces measures to regulate homeschooling more strictly and addresses the management of financial, disciplinary, and educational materials aspects in schools.
DA wholly opposes the Bill: Here’s what the party argued
The Democratic Alliance (DA) stands firmly against the BELA Bill, criticising it for centralising too much power away from local school governing bodies and into the hands of provincial education department heads.
In a statement, the DA argued that this shift undermines community engagement and local governance, potentially impacting the quality and appropriateness of education.
“The DA is resolute in its opposition to the BELA Bill and will continue to fight against the archaic centralisation of powers championed by the ANC. It is evident that the ANC is intent on rushing this bill through before the upcoming elections, using it as a tool for cheap electioneering,” the party wrote.
They also raise concerns about the Bill’s fiscal implications, fearing it could divert funds from essential services like school nutrition and transport programs.
The DA plans to continue contesting the Bill as it moves back to the National Assembly for further debate.
“The DA will vehemently oppose the BELA Bill both in committee and during its deliberations in the National Assembly. As the leading voice of opposition in Parliament, the DA will ensure that its objections are firmly lodged at every opportunity,” the DA added.
What happens next?
With the NCOP’s passage, the BELA Bill returns to the National Assembly where it will undergo further debates, the first of which takes place on Thursday, 16 May 2024, and possible additional amendments.
If approved, much like the controversial NHI Bill, it will be sent to the President for assent before becoming law.
This stage is crucial as it represents one of the last opportunities for opposition and public input to influence the final content of the Bill.
Stakeholders, including parents, educators, and political parties, will likely intensify their advocacy, either supporting or opposing the Bill’s provisions, as it moves through these final legislative steps.
The outcome of this legislative process will significantly influence the governance of schools across South Africa, potentially reshaping educational policies and practices in ways that could last for generations.
