South Africas Leader Moves To Avert Coalition Row

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has tried to head off a major row within his uneasy governing coalition by delaying the implementation of the most controversial part of a new education law.

A row over language policy had threatened the stability of the 10-party government created after the African National Congress (ANC) lost its parliamentary majority for the first time in May's election.

Before signing the new measures into law at a public ceremony, Mr Ramaphosa said there would now be a three-month consultation period.

John Steenhuisen, the leader of the coalition's second largest party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), had previously said that if the signing went ahead, the party would “have to consider all of our options on the way forward”.

Prior to the election the ANC and the DA had been at loggerheads over the Basic Education Laws Amendment (Bela) Bill.

The president says he now wants the parties in government to find ways for "different views [to] be accommodated".
What is in the Bela law?
The disputed law, passed by the previous ANC-dominated parliament, proposes controversial and significant reforms to existing education law.

The major changes include:

School admissions and the language of instruction will be regulated by government

Homeschooling will be regulated

Parents who fail to ensure their child is in school may face jail

Grade R, for four and five-year-olds, will be the new compulsory school starting level – a year earlier than currently

The abolition of corporal punishment will be backed by fines and possibly jail time for those who administer it

The ANC says the changes are essential in order to transform the education system and address continued inequalities.BBC