President Cyril Ramaphosa has formally enacted the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act, effective immediately, through a Presidential Proclamation announced on Friday evening.
The BELA Act, passed by Parliament in October 2023 and signed into law on September 13, 2024, introduces key reforms aimed at improving access to quality education and addressing language policies in schools.
Ramaphosa initially delayed implementing sections 4 and 5 of the Act by three months to allow further discussions among stakeholders, including parties in the Government of National Unity (GNU) and civil society groups, regarding contentious issues such as school admissions and language use.
My Fellow South Africans,
On the 13th of September this year, I signed into law the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act.
This Act is vital to the transformation of the education system in our country.
The Act is an important part of ongoing efforts to build an education system… pic.twitter.com/zop8G8blyq
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) December 20, 2024“The GNU clearing house mechanism submitted its final report, which recommended full implementation of the Act without returning it to Parliament,” Ramaphosa said, following consultations with political party leaders earlier in the day.
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has been tasked with overseeing the rollout, ensuring systems are prepared for universal Grade R access and compliance with constitutional mandates.
The Act strengthens the ability of schools to uphold the constitutional right to education in any of South Africa’s 12 official languages, including South African Sign Language. Ramaphosa emphasized that no language should be diminished under the new law, calling for equal value and promotion of all languages.
“This Act builds on 30 years of efforts to guarantee that every child, regardless of their circumstances, has access to quality education,” Ramaphosa said.
