Members of the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) and the Democratic Alliance (DA) walked-out of the deliberations on the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill on the first day of hearings in Parliament on Tuesday.
The Portfolio Committee on Basic Education has scheduled four days to go through the proposed amendments of the bill clause-by-clause.
Some of the key amendments propose that Grade R be the first new compulsory school starting class, followed by Grade 1.
The MPs, who walked out of the meeting, say they were unhappy with the exclusion of about 9 000 public submissions in the final report.
ACDP MP Marie Sukers blamed members of the African National Congress (ANC) who are the majority for causing the tension.
She says, “There are 9 000 email submissions which are not included in the final report. I left the meeting because I have been silenced and with me the voices of 9000 South Africans. Parliament would have to keep faith with the public who commented and to whom it owes a duty but also it has to uphold the constitution and ensure accountability.”
