The Democratic Alliance (DA) has threatened to walk out of the government of national unity (GNU) should President Cyril Ramaphosa go ahead and sign the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill (BELA) into law.
The President is set to sign the Bill which aims to strengthen governance within South Africa’s education sector on Friday.
DA leader John Steenhuisen says the Bill has constitutional implications for the right to mother-tongue education, amongst other issues. He has vowed to meet with the President before the planned signing ceremony on Friday.
Steenhuisen has vowed to meet with the president before the planned signing ceremony on Friday.
DA Leader John Steenhuisen has moved urgently to meet President Ramaphosa to re-iterate the DA’s objections to the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill in its current form.
We will also submit amendments, and urge him to send it back to Parliament. https://t.co/aJi9Xdl6vX
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) September 11, 2024
Touted by the African National Congress (ANC) as the legislation that seeks to strengthen governance within South Africa’s education sector, the Bill amends sections of the South African Schools Act of 1996 and the 1998 Employment of Educators Act.
But the DA says if the President proceeds with the signing of the Bill, despite its strong objections, he will be violating both the letter and spirit of the joint Statement of Intent that form the basis of the current GNU arrangement.
Equally, all eyes will be on the President during the public signing ceremony on Friday and the DA’s next course of action after the signing.
Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill: Prof Mary Metcalfe
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