DA makes 11th-hour plea to Ramaphosa to rethink signing BELA Bill into law

JOHANNESBURG - The Democratic Alliance (DA) has made an eleventh-hour plea to President Cyril Ramaphosa to rethink his plans to sign the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill into law.

The Presidency on Wednesday announced that Ramaphosa would on Friday finally assent the bill, which it said “aims to strengthen governance” within the country’s education sector.

The bill’s garnered widespread controversy, though, particularly when it comes to its proposals for schools’ language and admissions policies.

DA member and Minister of Education Siviwe Gwarube said she wouldn't be attending Friday’s signing.

The party’s Willie Aucamp said, “The DA strongly urges President Ramaphosa to refrain from signing the BELA Bill into law this [Friday] morning. 

“The DA remains committed to defending the constitutional right to mother tongue education, and we will continue to strenuously oppose any attempt by Education Department officials to override the right of school-governing bodies to formulate language and admission policies.”