Parliament criticises Gwarube for publishing only 2 draft regulations of the BELA Act

CAPE TOWN - Chairperson of Parliament’s Basic Education Committee Joy Maimela has criticised Minister Siviwe Gwarube for only publishing two of the draft regulations to guide the implementation of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act, saying the move has created confusion.

Speaking at a briefing at parliament on Thursday, Maimela went as far as to suggest that Gwarube was derailing the implementation of the new law that seeks to address admission and language inequalities at schools.

The BELA Act has been a political hot potato since the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU).

Two weeks ago, Minister Siviwe Gwarube published regulations on school capacity and school admissions for public comment.

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However, committee chairperson Joy Maimela said on Thursday, Parliament expected that the full set of 10 regulations would be published simultaneously before the end of June.

"If you release them in two sets, for us, you are actually trying to derail the implementation of the act in its totality."

Maimela also believes that the regulations on admissions, particularly as they pertain to feeder zones, contradict the intention of the act.

"That potentially reinforces local demographic homogeneity contrary to the type of inclusivity the act intended."

Earlier this month, Gwarube told EWN that much consideration had been given to drafting the regulations, which are the work of experts.