Gwarube gazettes two BELA Act regulations for public comment
The Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, has published the first two draft regulations of the Basic Education Act Amendment Act in the Government Gazette for public comment.
The gazetted regulations relate to key provisions of the South African Schools Act regarding school capacity and admissions.
The BELA Act was met with opposition from various organisations and political parties, citing that it poses a huge challenge to the Afrikaans language and culture.
The bill was signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa in September 2024.
Gwarube said this is aimed at strengthening the governance, equity and quality of education
for the country’s 13.5 million pupils.
“These regulations are instruments that will affect how schools are governed and managed, how children are admitted, and how our values as a society are reflected in our education system,” said Gwarube.
She said the Act seeks to ensure that the regulations are implemented to uphold pupils’ rights, enhance school functionality, and maintain the balance of powers and functions between School Governing Bodies and the department.
Further regulations will be released for public comment once they are finalised, legally vetted and approved.
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