Status Update on BELA Act Regulations and Implementation (with Minister)

Video The Portfolio Committee on Basic Education convened to review the implementation of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act and associated regulations. Members emphasised the urgency of finalising regulations to ensure equitable access, address language policy inconsistencies, and remove barriers in school admissions, underlining that all children should receive quality basic education in line with constitutional principles. The committee raised concerns that regulations had been published mainly in English and Afrikaans, questioning the criteria for language selection in a country with eleven official languages. The department explained reliance on the Office of the Chief State Law Adviser’s guidelines but acknowledged the need for expanded multilingual translation, public participation, and accessible formats, including Braille. Discussions highlighted infrastructure deficits, particularly in rural and under-resourced areas, noting a backlog of approximately R140 billion, which impeded access and quality. The department reported exploring blended financing models, including public-private partnerships and the education outcomes fund, to address these gaps and expand grade R inclusion. Members requested measurable progress, including data on schools offering grade R, the integration of African languages, and the rollout of bilingual examinations, which currently cover 11,000 schools. Learner placement challenges, especially in Gauteng with over 82,000 unplaced learners, were raised, prompting proposals for dedicated parent query channels and early provincial engagement in January. The committee addressed teacher qualifications, noting that many Grade R practitioners lacked NQF Level 6 certification. The department described a task team facilitating enrollment, funding, bridging courses, and absorption into the system as provincial budgets allowed. Members also discussed compliance with the Children’s Amendment Bill, streamlining ECD programme registration, and ensuring curriculum diversity in line with parental rights. Concerns regarding conditional grants, fiscal discipline, and provincial financial management were raised, alongside slow implementation of language policies, particularly in historically Afrikaans-medium schools. The department indicated ongoing monitoring through district and provincial dashboards, data verification, and SGB support mechanisms. The committee commended the department’s transparency, data improvements, and accountability initiatives but called for clearer metrics, independent evaluations, and specific targets for rural, farm, and township communities. Procedural matters regarding provincial briefings and regulations submission were deferred. The meeting concluded with recognition of the department’s work, festive wishes, and a commitment to continued oversight to ensure equitable and sustainable educational reforms for all South African children.