Chiloane concerned Gwarube signing agreement on BELA ACT will result in schools being reserved for certain groups

JOHANNESBURG - Gauteng's Education MEC, Matome Chiloane is concerned by the Basic Education Minister's signing of an agreement on the BELA Act, warning that it could result in some public schools being reserved for certain groups only.

This follows the signing of a pact by Minister Siviwe Gwarube, trade union Solidarity, and the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC), which proposed that clauses 4 and 5 of the BELA Act not be implemented.

These clauses focus on language and admission policies at public schools.

READ: Only one party in GNU signed agreement to exclude 2 clauses in BELA Act - Mashatile

Chiloane argued that the agreement gave school governing bodies (SGBs) too much power, as it requires heads of department to consult with the SGB on policies related to language and admissions.

The MEC said he believed it could result in exclusionary practices that may not be in the best interest of the broader public school system.

"MEC Chiloane is deeply concerned that this agreement effectively ring-fences certain public schools for the exclusive use of specific societal groups. The agreement also suggests that heads of departments (hods) must seek permission from, or consult, school governing bodies (SGBs) to change a school's language policy or to administer learner admissions," said MEC's spokesperson Steve Mabona.