26 September 2023

The ANC Study Group on Basic Education welcomes the progressive milestone of the adoption of the report of the legislation process of the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill (Bela Bill), which seeks to enhance the organisational efficiency of the Basic Education system to improve school governance, leadership, and accountability, transforming education services and protecting vulnerable groups to ensure learner well-being and access to learning.

We welcome the inputs by members of the public in the Provincial public hearings, the written submissions and oral presentations by various education stakeholders. The Portfolio Committee considered all inputs. Parliament Legal Service and the State attorney have affirmed the bill’s constitutionality.

Contrary to the disinformation about the bill, the object of the bill is to protect the rights of learners and improve learning outcomes through increasing compulsory schooling to Grade R, amongst other measures contained in the bill.

We are confident that the National Assembly will adopt the bill to be referred to the National Council of Provinces for concurrence.

The finalisation of the Bela Bill in the sixth Parliament will be a significant milestone in transforming the education system and will impact the future of our nation.

ISSUED BY THE ANC STUDY GROUP ON BASIC EDUCATION

Enquiries:

Nombuyiselo Adoons ANC (MP)
Whip of Basic Education
+27(0) 72 661 5765