Admin blunder forces NCOP to defer passing of BELA Bill
The NCOP was expected to pass the bill which would abolish all forms of corporal punishment and regulate language policy, giving some powers to SGBs.
Picture: © smolaw11/123rf.com
CAPE TOWN - The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) was on Thursday forced to defer its adoption of the BELA BILL after an administrative blunder.
The NCOP was set to consider and adopt the contentious legislation aimed at reforming the basic education sector before a technical error was pointed out.
The NCOP was expected to pass the bill which would abolish all forms of corporal punishment and regulate language policy, giving some powers to SGBs.
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The NCOP had just started its debate on the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill before the entire process was called into question.
The Democratic Alliance (DA)'s Cathlene Labuschagne said the report that was published in Parliament's announcements, tabling's and committee reports, or "ATC", did not include the amendments and the correct report was not published.
"But that report was not ATC'd, so we continue with process that is not correct."
Deputy chairperson, Sylvia Lucas, agreed to defer the matter after making a few a consultations.
"Apparently, it has not happened like that. I would now rule that this matter be ATC'd and be dealt with in the next House sittings."
While many gathered around the country on Thursday to protest the bill, opposition to the bill will continje until the NCOP's next sitting next week.