Status Update on BELA Act Regulations and Implementation as it relates to Grade R Admissions (with Minister); DBE Budget Vote Report

The Portfolio Committee on Basic Education expressed serious concern over delays in finalising key regulations of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act, particularly regarding contentious sections on language and admissions. The Chairperson said most Members suspected deliberate stalling to obstruct full implementation. While the Act had been signed into law in September last year, regulations were due to be finalised by June, but this had not been achieved. The Minister of Basic Education defended the process, stating that ten task teams had been established, with two draft regulations already submitted for constitutional review. She denied any intentional delays, calling such claims politically motivated. The Department said guidelines had been issued to assist with implementation, though they were not binding. However, the Committee criticised the confusion created by these guidelines, noting inconsistencies with the South African Schools Act and concerns from provincial departments. Some provinces were unsure if they had received guidelines or regulations, and the Council of Education Ministers had rejected the draft guidelines, requesting proper regulations instead. The Chairperson demanded a full report from the Minister within four working days, detailing the origins and purpose of the guidelines. She argued that the time spent on them should have been used to develop actual regulations, and warned of potentially escalating the issue to the President. Beyond the BELA, the Committee also raised issues related to infrastructure, Grade R implementation, and practitioner training. The Western Cape Education Department was instructed to redo its presentation due to a lack of detail, which the Committee viewed as undermining its oversight role.