There have been significant protests against the BELA Act at Voortrekker Monument with thousands of participants representing political parties such as the Democratic Alliance (DA), Afriforum, Solidarity, Freedom Front Plus and other interested parties.
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🇿🇦 Since 2017, South Africans have strongly opposed the BELA Act.
— DA Gauteng (@DAGauteng) November 5, 2024
For the DA, this isn't only about language, it's about protecting local voices and choices in out schools.#StopBELA
Leanne de Jager MPL
Gauteng pic.twitter.com/AXscLjNvef
The BELA Act, Also referred to as the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act. Is a law in South Africa that aims to modify parts of the South African Schools Act and the Employment of Educators Act.
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It aims to consolidate authority over school language and admission guidelines by empowering education departments rather than individual School Governing Bodies (SGBs).
This move has sparked debates due to it's implications for school's independence in choosing their language of instruction and admission requirements.
Some people see the Act as a challenge to language rights within the Afrikaans community because it could weaken education in mother tongues.
Critics claim that it consolidates authority by removing the autonomy of school boards in setting language guidelines, which is viewed as a loss of heritage.
The Act has sparked discussions as the DA and other parties oppose it on the grounds that it undermines the autonomy of schools and communities.
There is disagreement regarding the transfer of authority to departments concerning school admissions and language policies, some see this as government overstepping it's bounds.
There is currently a debate about how the Act will impact the rights of students and the compulsory schooling age well as issues such as homeschool regulation and alcohol sales at schools.
This has sparked a conversation about education governance finding a balance between state authority and local independence.