President Cyril Ramaphosa recently addressed the absence of Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube at the signing of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill.
Gwarube chose to boycott the event due to her objections to the bill’s current form.
Despite this, Ramaphosa played down her absence, stressing that her commitment to the new law remains firm.
No Major Concern Over Gwarube’s Absence
Although Gwarube’s absence was noted, Ramaphosa reassured the public that her overall commitment to her role is unwavering.
“Her absence is an issue, but it’s a minor one compared to her dedication to implementing the law,” Ramaphosa remarked.
He emphasized that Gwarube has assured him of her commitment to executing government decisions, saying, “The minister has been very clear; she says, ‘President, you are my boss, I will execute decisions of government.’
That is exactly her mandate.”
Ramaphosa used this opportunity to highlight his focus on public service rather than getting caught up in political disputes.
“The interests of South Africans are what unite us in this government of national unity,” he said.
BELA Bill Aims for Major Education Reforms
The signing of the BELA Bill is a significant step toward overhauling South Africa’s education system.
The bill targets key areas such as school admissions and language policies.
Ramaphosa pointed out that while progress has been made in increasing access to education since the end of apartheid, issues like resource inequality and exclusionary policies still exist.
“Despite the progress, we still see cases where learners are denied school admission due to language policies,” he noted.
The BELA Bill is designed to address these issues by standardizing admission procedures and promoting inclusivity, especially for vulnerable learners.
Additionally, the bill introduces compulsory Grade R and strengthens oversight on homeschooling, with a focus on inclusivity and respect for cultural and religious diversity.
Implementation of Certain Clauses Delayed
Given the concerns raised by Gwarube and others, Ramaphosa has decided to postpone the implementation of clauses 4 and 5, which pertain to school admissions and language policies, by three months.
“In the spirit of cooperation and meaningful engagement, I have decided to delay the implementation date for these clauses,” he announced.
What’s Next?
As the country moves forward, the delay provides an opportunity for further discussion and refinement of the bill’s provisions.
The next steps will involve addressing concerns and ensuring that the final implementation aligns with the goal of creating a more inclusive and equitable education system.
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