Signing BELA Bill into law a progressive move for SA education, says advocacy group
Equal Education, however, said it continues to call for the removal of the clause that prevents learners without proper documentation admission to a school.
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CAPE TOWN - Equal Education believes the signing of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill by President Cyril Ramaphosa is a progressive move for the country's education.
The education advocacy group, however, said it continues to call for the removal of the clause that prevents learners without proper documentation from admission to a school.
It's also against the criminalisation of parents and guardians who submit false information and said they must be assisted to get the right details.
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Ramaphosa signed the bill into law Friday in the absence of the Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube.
Gwarube indicated that her absence in the signing ceremony was a sign of protest against the implementation of the bill.
Equal Education researcher Mahfouz Raffee said, "Hopefully, progressively it will introduce universal grade R and protect learners who have been unfairly denied admission to schools based on their language and other discriminate measures. So, there are laws that represent by and large a good step forward in harmonising the education."