By Johnathan Paoli
A mediation process aimed at resolving the dispute surrounding the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act has concluded inconclusively at the National Economic, Development and Labour Council (Nedlac).
The meeting involved representatives from Solidarity, the Basic Education Department and the Presidency.
It followed Solidarity’s submission of a Section 77 strike notice to Nedlac, which seeks protection for its members during a planned protest march against the legislation to the Union Buildings in Tshwane early next month.
Solidarity deputy CEO Anton van der Bijl confirmed to Inside Education on Saturday that the mediation did not yield a settlement, but indicated that further negotiations would continue in the coming weeks.
Solidarity is deeply unhappy about two clauses in the Bill on language and admission policies in schools.
Following the signing of the Bill into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa in September, Sections 5 and 6, which focus on these contentious issues, have been temporarily suspended for a three-month negotiation period.
The Solidarity Research Institute (SRI) has issued a report criticising what it says is the Gauteng education department’s historical hostility towards Afrikaans single-medium schools.
It highlights “troubling” statements from Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi and education MEC Matome Chiloane, suggesting that the legislation could be used to undermine these schools.
SRI head Connie Mulder warned on Friday the law could become “like a brand-new axe in the hands of someone who has been itching for a long time to fell a precious tree”.
Solidarity and its allies have warned that “sparks will fly in the next two months” as they continue with their advocacy and mobilisation efforts.
Advocates for Afrikaans education argue that the amendments threaten the viability of Afrikaans-medium schools, while proponents of the changes assert that the reforms aim to promote inclusivity and equity in education.
INSIDE EDUCATION
