Parliament, Saturday, 3 June 2023 – The Basic Laws Amendment Bill (Bela Bill) has received mixed reactions from the residents of Greater ZF Mgcawu District Municipality with some supporting the Bill while others rejected it. The Portfolio Committee on Basic Education completed the first of three public hearings in the Northern Cape yesterday as part of its nation-wide public participation process which is the bedrock of participatory democratic process.
Those that supported the Bill highlighted its necessity to deal with many practical challenges faced within the public education system while those against it highlighted the apprehension with what they view as unnecessary veto powers conferred to the heads of the provincial departments of education.
Those who supported the Bill highlighted the current misuse of powers by School Governing Bodies (SGBs). They argued that the Bill will eliminate discriminatory tendencies exhibited by some SGBs that included the exclusion of some learners from different racial backgrounds. They emphasised that one of the benefits that will be derived from the implementation of the Bill will be the equality of all languages in the country.
Those opposed to the Bill argued that the Bill undermines the principle of cooperative governance in the running of schools, as each level of administration has clearly defined roles and responsibilities. They further emphasised that the SGBs are best placed to make decisions on language and admission policies for schools, given their better understanding of the socio-economic and other realities in the communities where the schools are situated.
Regarding the reporting of financial reports on a quarterly basis, those against the Bill asserted that this was practically impossible and will put undue administrative burden on the SGBs. Also, there was an argument that the clause that proposes that members of the SGB must declare financial interests was unconstitutional and would most likely contravene the Protection of Personal Information Act.
Those that supported the Bill were of the view that by imposing quarterly reporting cycle, it will stop the problem of misuse of funds early and ensure that school finances are administered fairly and ethically. Furthermore, they argued that this quarterly reporting cycle will empower communities with information on the financial management in schools and will reduce occurrences of corruption and squandering of scarce resources.
There were also divergent views regarding clause 41, with those supporting the Bill emphasising that the public education system was increasingly compelled to deal with the challenge of the rising pregnancy at schools and the Bill would provide a framework on how best to deal with this matter. Also, some highlighted that the clause will ensure that a girl child remains in school thereby resolving the high dropout rate of female learners.
Those opposing the Bill raised concerns that the Bela Bill was advocating for comprehensive sexual education, something they viewed as a foreign tendency seeking to impose a form of colonialism in the education system.
Clause 37 of the Bill which proposes the regulation of the home-schooling environment also raised contrasting perspectives from participants. For supporters, the home-schooling environment required monitoring to ensure education does occur and to gauge progression within the basic education schooling system.
Those who opposed the Bill asserted that the Bill takes away the responsibility which home-schooling parents have assumed of ensuring that their children learn despite some challenges they face. Also, there was an argument that the Department of Basic Education does not, through this Bill, attempt to resolve many of the challenges the sector faces daily, such as overcrowding in schools, the lack of adequate infrastructure and the unavailability of qualified educators. Some asked about the practicability of monitoring the vast system when currently provincial education systems are struggling to monitor public schools under their purview.
Some parents argued that despite their many attempts to interact with the Minister especially on clause 37 their pleas were not considered leaving the committee with an unresearched Bill that doesn’t cater for the needs of unique learners. There was a complete rejection of clause 8 of the Bill which proposes regulation on the possession, consumption or sale of liquor on school premises. The underlying message was that there is a serious challenge of substance abuse in the country and allowing the sale of alcohol will exacerbate an already dire situation.
The committee welcomed all inputs made and assured the participants that their perspectives have been heard. “We came here to listen, and we have done exactly that. The final decisions we will eventually make, will be guided by these views in their totality. By being here today you have confirmed that you are all committed to a better South Africa and to a better future for all our children,” said Ms Bongiwe Mbinqo-Gigaba, the Chairperson of the committee.
The committee will today hold a session in Kuruman to enable the residents of John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality to make representations to the committee. The committee emphasises that all interested individuals and organisations are welcomed to make submissions.
|
District |
Area |
Local Municipality |
Venue |
Date |
Time |
|
John Taolo Gaetsewe District |
Kuruman |
Ga-Segonyana Local Municipality |
Wrenchville Civic Centre, Kuruman |
Sat, 3 June 2023 |
12:00 – 16:00 |
|
Frances Baard District |
Sol Plaatjie |
Sol Plaatjie Local Municipality |
Mayibuye Multipurpose Centre, Galeshewe |
Sun, 4 June 2023 |
12:00 – 16:00 |
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCATION, MS BONGIWE MBINQO-GIGABA
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the Committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Malatswa Molepo (Mr)
Parliamentary Communication Services
Tel: 021 403 8438
Cell: 081 512 7920
E-mail: mmolepo@parliament.gov.za
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