SADTU passes resolution to defend BELA Act amid scrutiny

JOHANNESBURG - The South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) has passed a resolution to defend the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act, in light of ongoing scrutiny from various political parties and civil organisations.

The recently signed legislation seeks to make important amendments to the South African Schools Act of 1996.

The amendments include making grade R compulsory for all children and assigning provincial education departments the responsibility for school language policies.

EXPLAINER: BELA Bill gets thumbs up in Parliament - but what is it all about?

Speaking at the union’s 10th national congress in Boksburg on Saturday, SADTU president, Magope Maphila emphasised the need for a smooth implementation of the BELA Act.

“It is prudent to declare that the BELA Act is close to our hearts. We must, at all times, be ready to fight for its implementation. No one should stand in its way. Not even Madam Helen Zille, not even Baas [John] Steenhuisen, and not even Mme [Siviwe] Gwarube. In fact, no devil from hell will stand in the way of the implementation of the BELA Act.”

MEASURES TO SHIELD EDUCATORS' JOBS

SADTU said it would take all necessary measures to shield educators from budgetary constraints confronting the Department of Basic Education.

Earlier this week, Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube announced her department was facing a major crisis, which could result in job losses for teachers in coming years.

She said provincial education departments were grappling with a severe funding crisis, with some facing a collective R28 billion budget shortfall.

-2,407 teacher posts to be cut in Western Cape: 'Nothing short of a crisis!'

-DBE's financial crisis 'translates to fewer teachers, reduced textbooks', reveals Minister

Maphila said the basic education sector must brace for a challenging journey ahead.

“Joblessness is going up, especially in our country. There are more and more job bloodbaths and employees being retrenched. Comrades, the above happenings are but the tip of the iceberg. More is yet to come. They merely give us a wake-up call that the terrain of the struggle has changed.”

He said a concerted effort was needed to minimise the impact of the budgetary constraints.

“We must use our collective strength in all sectors of the economy to defend what we have gained thus far and still fight to dislodge the stranglehold and remove the albatross around our necks. Our battle cry is and should be ‘go public, fund education’.”