President Cyril Ramaphosa with Deputy Minister of Basic Education Dr Makgabo Mhaule after signing the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill into law at the Union Buildings. | Jacques Naude / Independent Newspapers
Durban — With just seven days remaining until the National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education (DOE) has embarked on a roadshow, on Monday, to facilitate smoother admissions processes for pupils.
The DOE also held a session in the uMzinyathi District to clarify concerns and explain the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act (BELA). The BELA Act amends sections of the South African Schools Act of 1996 (SASA) and the Employment of Educators Act, 1998 (EEA) to account for developments in the education landscape since the enactment of the original legislation.
The amendments are a response to court judgments that protect and give effect to the Bill of Rights.
This session, led by Advocate Zukile Ntshwani, Director for Legal Services at the DOE spoke about the implications of the suspended clauses of BELA. Ntshwani said the advocacy behind this session demonstrates a concerted effort to equip both educators and learners with the necessary legal frameworks to navigate the education system effectively.
Ntshwani said it is important for everyone to understand BELA, to implement it and adhere to it.
The session highlighted the two clauses in the Act that have been criticised, due to concerns that they strip school governing bodies (SGBs) of their authority over admissions and language policy decisions.
Also, Clause 5 has drawn criticism from those who believe it will disadvantage schools that operate in languages other than English, potentially undermining mother tongue education.
According to the DOE, clauses stipulate that SGBs will retain control over these policies, as long as they are submitted for approval to the provincial Head of Department, in line with constitutional requirements.
Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said this legislation obliges SGBs to take into account the linguistic needs of the wider community to promote inclusivity in education.
“This will go a long way in making education affordable more especially in the suburban areas, where majority of schools are Afrikaans teaching, whereas the broader community around the school are English speaking,” Ntshavheni said.
Parallel to this event, the online Learner Admissions Advocacy Roadshow concluded at Alexander High School in the uMgungundlovu District. The DOE stated that the roadshow was designed to facilitate smoother admissions processes for pupils and attendees engaged in discussions about the importance of understanding the admissions framework, particularly as the NSC exams approach, marking a pivotal milestone in students’ academic journeys.
President Cyril Ramaphosa publicly signed the Bill on September 13, 2024, during a signing ceremony held at the Union Buildings, in Tshwane.
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