MPs pass controversial BELA Bill

The BELA Bill proposes several changes to the South African Schools Act, including transferring control to the Education Department to determine a school's language policies and curriculums. 

The Bill dictates that Grade R will now be the new compulsory school-starting age, and parents who fail to enroll their children for grade R will be formally penalised. 

Some of the amendments include penalties for those found guilty of corporal punishment. which is no longer allowed at schools. 

In terms of language policy, the Bill provides that a school governing body will now be required to submit the language policy of a public school and any amendment thereof to the head of the Education Department for approval.  

The language policy must also consider the language needs of the broader community. 

The Bill further provides that Sign Language has the status of an official language for purposes of learning at a public school. 

The BELA Bill also bans the consumption or possession on public school premises, or during any public school activity unless permission has been sought from the Head of Department, and then only under strict conditions." 

The ANC said in a statement that the Bill aims to open the doors of learning and culture for all. 

"This development is consistent with the ANC's vision of an education system that puts society at the centre of education transformation," they say.  

"The ANC has a longstanding legacy of advocating for a basic education system that delivers quality education and the holistic development of a young mind, and the BELA bill aligns perfectly with those values." 

DA federal council chairperson Helen Zille said the governing party would reject any initiative to improve schools. 

"South Africans will not tolerate the destruction of education in the way that the ANC has destroyed every single thing it touches,” she said.  

“The ANC wants to strip the powers of school governing bodies because it wants to destroy everything it cannot control. We can only come to the conclusion after 30 years of ANC rule, and that is, the ANC hates excellence and destroys everything it touches," according to Zille.   

The ACDP's Mari Sukers said the bill died when majority of South Africans rejected it through public submissions. 

"This Bill died when you ignored the public comment and failed to present the public's views to the committee in a matrix or any comprehensive document," says Suikers. 

"You will tell your supporters they will get into any school they choose. This will not happen. The BELA Bill will be struck down in the courts because you failed to follow the simplest procedures and act transparently." 

Freedom Front Plus MP Wynand Boshoff said the Bill violates the agreement of 1994.  

"What education actually needs is a multiplicity of cultural authorities that have power over, among other things, education. Such authorities should not only manage education but should also have a say in content, curricula and examinations. Then each school can decide under which authority it wants to subject itself, “ he says.  

"The road South Africa is currently walking on is the only one possible in a unitary state: One on which there are constant clashes between groups that all want to have it their own way. " 

"That is precisely what lies at the very core of a unitary state: There can be only one authority and only one policy. Self-determination, which includes cultural autonomy, among other things, is one way of defusing these kinds of clashes." 

The Bill will now be sent to the National Council of Provinces for concurrence. 

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