Education Act Highlights Divides in South African Schools

The Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act, signed into law by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, has ignited controversy, particularly regarding its impact on Afrikaans-language schools.

The law – signed in on Friday, 13 September – grants provincial officials authority over school admissions and mandates the inclusion of more than one official language in schools, a move seen as necessary by some to prevent racial exclusion.

Ramaphosa, acknowledging opposition from coalition partners, has delayed the implementation of these provisions for three months, inviting parties to propose alternatives. The Democratic Alliance, the second-largest party in the coalition, has vowed to challenge the law in court, arguing it threatens the constitutional right to mother-tongue education, particularly Afrikaans.

Afrikaans holds a complex place in South African history; associated with apartheid, yet spoken by a majority of non-white citizens today.

Critics of the BELA Act, including civil rights group AfriForum, fear the reforms endanger Afrikaans schools and their cultural significance. However, the African National Congress  insists the law is crucial to addressing deep-rooted inequalities in education.

With South Africa’s education system in crisis – where 81% of ten-year-olds struggle to read – the government views these reforms as essential for improving outcomes and addressing inequality.

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