Education Minister boycotts BELA Bill signing ceremony

JOHANNESBURG - Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube is boycotting the signing of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill. 

The minister said in a statement that she remains opposed to the bill in its current form.

"I have requested the President to refer it back to Parliament for reconsideration in terms of Section 79 of the Constitution," the statement read.

READ: President Ramaphosa to sign BELA Bill into law

"I have also provided inputs on why this should be done.

"I have thus written to the President and notified him that, in the present circumstance, I cannot attend today's signing ceremony until concerns regarding the Bill are rectified."

President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to sign the BELA Bill into law on Friday.