By Thato Mgoma & Palesa Mofoti
The parliament of South Africa hosted a public participation hearing regarding the Basic Education Laws Amendment [BELA] Bill on 4 June at the Mayibuye Multipurpose Centre.
The purpose of the session was to allow the public to voice their opinion and insight on whether they accept or reject the BELA Bill. According to parliament, the Bill intends to ensure that the learning systems promote, respect and fulfill the right to basic education enshrined in section 29(1) of the Constitution, 1996.
Citizens from as far as Kuruman, Hopetown, Kathu, Warrenton and other surrounding arrears within the Northern Cape flocked to Kimberley to have their voices heard. Organisations such as South African Democratic Teachers Union [SADTU], Congress of South African Trade Union [COSATU], Suid Afrikaanse Onderwysers Unie [SAOU], Public Servants Association [PSA], LGBTQI+ community, Department of Education officials, National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union [NEHAWU], political parties, faith-based communities including parents and children were attended the session.
The Bill was met with mixed reviews from the public, with many participants voting in favor, requesting amendments to several clauses. Others voted that the whole Bill be scrapped as it will interfere with children’s individual needs, as one homeschooling parent stated.
Maserame Dladla, a community member residing in Stock n Stock, Galeshewe, accepted the Bill with the request that the curriculum be changed to match that of higher institutions and also proposed that all schools have free sanitary towels in their bathroom stalls, “I propose that the department of education work hand in hand with local soup kitchens to provide afterschool food scheme for children,” stated Dladla
Jaqueline Viljoen, a member of the Faith-Based Organisation rejected the Bill, maintaining that “There is a lack of meaningful discussions regarding homeschooling focussing on clause 37 because it restricts parents to teach their kids according to their specific needs”.
A member of the Rastafarian community, Ras Khulu Mapitsi, accepted the Bill with bitter dissatisfaction that alcohol should be allowed on school premises.
James Mabotsa, Deputy Provincial Chairperson of the South African Democratic Teachers Union [SADTU], supports the Bill except for the clause around disturbances at school’.
Members of the public can thoroughly read the BELA Bill on the parliament’s website at www.parliament.gov.za
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