SADTU MEDIA STATEMENT
SADTU welcomes President Ramaphosa’s announcement on the full implementation of the Bela Act.
The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) expresses its relief and gratitude following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement regarding the full implementation of the Bela Act. Our voices have finally been heard.
We are happy that the attempts of right-wing formations to manipulate the law for the benefit of a select few were unsuccessful. The integrity of the Act has been preserved, ensuring it serves the educational needs of all learners.
The Act empowers provincial education departments the authority to determine school language and admission policies. We fully support this provision, as some school governing bodies have previously used these policies to unjustly exclude learners from schools.
From the onset, we argued that there was no justification for delaying the implementation of Clauses 4 and 5 for further consultation as this undermined the wide-ranging legitimate processes conducted over many years in which all the parties in the Government of National Unity (GNU) participated. The Bill was passed with overwhelming support in both the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces.
The Act represents the collective will and desire of the majority to transform our basic education system from an apartheid design to a democratic, value-based system that ensures every child’s right to access quality public education.
We anticipate the Minister of Basic Education will establish the necessary regulations and policies to facilitate the implementation of the Act. We can confirm that the norms and standards are in place and will be adjusted to align with the Act.
The full implementation of the Bela Act will further secure the right of every child to access education which is enshrined in our Constitution.
SADTU remains steadfast in its commitment to unity and inclusivity in our education system.
ISSUED BY: SADTU Secretariat