Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane has expressed strong disappointment about the bilateral agreement between the Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube and her partners regarding the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act.

According to Chiloane, the agreement undermines the president’s intentions and only represents a minority.

MEC CHILOANE REJECTS BILATERAL AGREEMENT ON BELA BY MINISTER AND PARTNERS

The Gauteng Education MEC, Mr @matomekopano, wishes to express his disappointment and firm rejection of the so-called bilateral agreement between the Minister of Basic Education and her partners regarding… pic.twitter.com/gJEtXEO5V3

— Gauteng Department of Education (@EducationGP1) November 29, 2024

Chiloane is concerned that this approach will hinder transformation efforts, allowing School Governing Bodies (SGB) to block progress.

Furthermore, it may enable single-medium schools to resist introducing additional languages, despite local demographics demanding inclusivity.

Gauteng Education Spokesperson Steve Mabona says, “The so-called agreement among others proposes that Sections 4(d), 4(f), and 5(c) of the BELA Act should not be implemented until national policies, regulations, and norms and standards are developed. Furthermore, Sections 4 and 5 are to be introduced on a phased basis, subject to these developments. 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 must seek permission from, or consult, school governing bodies to change a school’s language policy or to administer learner admissions.”-Reporting by Nonhlanhla Ntshingila