Basic Education Minister pledges to finalise BELA regulations

BASIC Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube said her department is working towards ensuring that the regulations for the Basic Laws Amendment Act (BELA) are finalised in time before the start of the 2026 academic year.

- MAYIBONGWE MAGHINA

Gwarube said the department was aiming to publish the regulations, norms and standards for public comment by the end of June 2025.

“The introduction of the national regulations, norms and standards and policy required to support implementation of the South African Schools Act and the Employment of Educators Act, both as amended by the BELA Act, will not occur during the 2025 school year.

“The Department of Basic Education (DBE) will, however, work tirelessly towards these being introduced in time for the start of the 2026 school year,” she said.

Gwarube revealed this when she was responding to parliamentary questions from EFF MPs, Mandla Shikwambana and Babalwa Mathulelwa, who asked about the progress on the finalisation of the regulations and guidelines of the BELA Act.

Shikwambana and Mathulelwa also enquired about the date the new law will be implemented among other things.