The Portfolio Committee on Basic Education has successfully concluded a nationwide public participation process on the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill at Gqeberha with a session at Nangoza Jebe Community Hall yesterday. The committee considers the long public hearings held in all provinces have been a true reflection of what participatory democracy is and how it should be conducted.

“We undertook this process cognisant of its importance for democracy to function well and the participation by South Africans has been commendable. We come out certain that the people of this country truly care about the future we must build for our children and their deep held desire that the education system in general must be beneficial to the learners and to the country,” said Ms Bongiwe Mbinqo-Gigaba, the Chairperson of the committee.

The committee is satisfied that the process was fair and engaged and that it was not just a box-ticking exercise. Parliament has created the necessary environment for an effective public consultation process. The committee held hearings in all provinces with three hearings in every province. “All the halls we visited have been oversubscribed and the people, young and old, made both oral and written submissions, which we will adequately process and consider. Despite the initial miscommunication challenge, especially in Mpumalanga, we are satisfied that Parliament has enabled free and fair opportunity for the people to air their views,” Ms Mbinqo-Gigaba emphasised.

In Gqeberha, the committee received mixed views on the Bill. Those who supported the Bill, highlighted the importance of ensuring alignment of legislation to changing requirements within the education sector. Supporters of the Bill suggested that it will bring about equity within the basic education system. They also suggested that the Bill will enhance the drive for equal treatment of all official languages in schools.

Supporters of the Bill also welcomed the inclusion of grade R in the mainstream education system to ensure that learners are adequately prepared for the rigours of the education system. They also hoped that by including grade R, early childhood development practitioners will be remunerated adequately.

Those against the Bill highlighted their concerns with centralising power in the office of the heads of departments, emphasising that the Bill will add an administrative burden that will delay decision making. They also raised concerns with undermining the power of school governing bodies to make decisions about language and admissions policies and would make it difficult to communities to participate in the education sector.

They were also concerned about how grade R education would be funded. Some participants were against the banning of corporal punishment. Home schooling was also a contentious point in the hearings, with those supporting the Bill emphasised that it should be regulated to ensure the quality of the education and monitoring system. Those opposing the Bill said it will stifle parents’ democratic choice to select an appropriate, flexible and leaner-focused education for their children. Parents were also of the view that home visits for monitoring purposes will be a gross violation of their privacy.

Despite these varying views, there was general agreement that the sale of alcohol in school premises should not be allowed. Participants questioned how the Bill can allow alcohol in schools while the by-laws prevent the sale of alcohol within 100 metres of a school.

Now that the public participation process has been concluded, the committee will consider all the submissions made and proceed with its processes to consider the Bill. “We will now compile an inclusive report on all the public participation processes, including the oral presentations made by organisations and oral and written submissions made during the provincial hearings. We are satisfied with the quality of inputs made and we are certain that they will guide the committee as it considers the Bill,” Ms Mbinqo-Gigaba emphasised.

Source: Parliament of South Africa