Ramaphosa must enforce full implementation of BELA Act, says ANC

The African National Congress (ANC) Study Group on Basic Education in Parliament has urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to promulgate the full commencement of all sections of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act without delay, dismissing recent opposition to the legislation as misguided and disingenuous.

The BELA Act, which aims to reform South Africa's education system, has faced fierce opposition from various political parties, including the Democratic Alliance, Afriforum, the Freedom Front Plus, the Patriotic Alliance, and Solidarity. These groups have raised concerns that the Act will limit the use of mother-tongue education and centralize power away from School Governing Bodies (SGBs). However, the ANC Study Group has strongly rejected these claims, calling them disinformation.

The ANC emphasized that the BELA Act does not infringe on the use of indigenous languages in schools. Instead, it promotes a more inclusive approach by encouraging schools to accommodate a broader range of languages, ensuring that all learners have access to quality education in their mother tongues. "When these ethno-nationalist parties speak of marching for the protection of indigenous languages, they are primarily advocating for the protection of Afrikaans, a language spoken by a minority," the ANC argued. "This is about white privilege, not the protection of linguistic rights for all South Africans."

Furthermore, the ANC Study Group refuted allegations that the BELA Act would strip SGBs of their powers. While the Act does provide the Head of Department with greater oversight, SGBs will retain authority over language policies and administrative matters, provided these decisions align with constitutional guidelines. The Act is designed to ensure that schools evolve and adapt to the changing needs of society, rather than remain insular and static.

"The governing body of a public school must recognize that it is entrusted with a public resource, which must be managed not just for the current learners and their parents, but for the broader community and in line with constitutional values," the ANC said in a statement. "The BELA Act seeks to address the historical imbalances in our education system and create a more inclusive and equitable environment for all South Africans."

The ANC Study Group also pointed to the Act’s broader objectives of promoting nation-building and social cohesion, which it argued are essential for the democratic values of South Africa. The Act addresses long-standing challenges, including language policies that have previously prevented learners from gaining access to education. By tackling these issues, the ANC believes the Act will contribute to creating a more equitable education system that serves the nation as a whole.

According to Section 79(1) of the South African Constitution, once Parliament has passed a bill, the President is obligated to either assent to the bill or refer it back to the National Assembly if there are concerns about its constitutionality. The ANC Study Group is confident that the BELA Act complies with constitutional standards and should be fully implemented.

The Study Group reaffirmed its support for the Act and stressed that no legislation, especially one that has undergone thorough public consultation, should be altered through political maneuvering or intimidation. "We urge the President to act in the best interest of the nation and promulgate the commencement of all sections of the BELA Act with immediate effect," the ANC concluded.

With this call for swift action, the ANC aims to accelerate efforts to build a more inclusive and cohesive society through the transformation of South Africa's education system.