MPs pile pressure on basic education minister to publish Bela regulations

BASIC Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube says her department is on track to publish the regulations relating to the Basic Education Laws Amendment (Bela) Act before the June deadline.

- MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA

Responding to questions in the Basic Education Portfolio Committee, Gwarube said she had on numerous occasions informed the committee and Parliament that the Bela Act was already enacted into law.

“The last time, in Parliament, I indicated that when the Act is signed into law, it comes into effect. There is no delay,” she said.

EFF MP Mandla Shikwambana had said South Africans were confused about what was happening with the Bela Act and regulations.

“You are deliberately playing a political game and using delay tactics. No matter how smart you are to give us answers, the fact of the matter is that there is a serious deliberate delay in dealing with the regulations,” Shikwambana said.

He wanted to know when the clauses in the Bela Act that deal with language and admissions will be fully implemented.

“We need those regulations. They must come and be published. If you have got them or published them elsewhere, can you furnish us with those regulations?” Shikwambana said.