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The budget cuts described by the Minister of Basic Education as a “national crisis” only raise more questions for AfriForum about the signing of the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act 32 of 2024 (the Bela Act). According to the department, between R79 billion and R118 billion is required to finance education costs up to 2028. Budget cuts are already taking place, with alarming consequences such as the downsizing of teaching posts, vacant posts not being filled and badly needed infrastructure not being developed.

According to Alana Bailey, AfriForum’s Head of Cultural Affairs, the Bela Act will have far-reaching consequences for the education sector. “One immediately thinks of the compulsory introduction of Grade R, which will create major challenges in terms of appointments and infrastructure at schools, not to mention learning materials and support for learners. If its implementation is postponed, the question of course is why the act had to be signed so urgently.”

Bailey mentions that the two controversial articles of the Bela Act, which will be negotiated in the next three months, can be abused to force schools to admit more children. Furthermore, Afrikaans schools that are already full, may also be forced to accommodate learners who require English instruction, which will have devastating consequences for quality education in general and more specifically Afrikaans schools, the language and Afrikaans communities.

“Poor education is the fastest way to economic disaster and at present our children have too many educational challenges to contend with. Bela’s provisions will make the situation worse rather than better. AfriForum therefore appeals again to anyone who has not yet supported its petition against the act, to sign it. Each signatory helps AfriForum to achieve an even stronger negotiating position. 

Issued by AfriForum