Chairperson, let me start by thanking members of the House who have spoken to the Bill and supported us on it. Let me also quickly respond to some of the facts or points that were put by members.
Let me start off with Mr Smiles. I would like to remind the hon member that this is a technical Bill. We are not talking about other things. It was quite clear that the member was speaking from an old broken slate. Without any provocation we were not talking here about Sadtu! However, we are talking about political parties, not teacher unions. When we are talking about political parties, we are talking about the DA, ANC and so on, just to remind you of the difference between the two.
I agree with you that we should indeed not have political parties demonstrating. I am sure there can be only one party in 2012 with 100 years of history which is a history of the country. I think, for curriculum purposes, it would be useful to make sure that every child went through it. I think you will all acknowledge that 100 years of struggle is worth being known by every South African child, but the rest ... [Interjections.] Go home. Again, Mr Smiles, the unions represent the rights of employees and are not political parties. There are protocols with regard to the conduct of the unions and their activities in schools.
Secondly, when we say that we want to add to the powers of the principals, we are also saying we are not reducing those of the school governing bodies. We are just adding to the powers of principals, increasing them. Currently, whilst principals are responsible for the professional management of schools, they are excluded from financial management and control. This amendment seeks to address that anomaly. Ntate Dikobo knows that - he has been a principal and knows what we are talking about.
To the hon member Vukuza-Linda I also say that this is a technical Bill. I think there is a time to talk about substantive issues like the three Rs - RRR - and other things. We can talk about that then. Here we are focusing only on technicalities. For example, we are changing the word "student" to "learner" and "Minister of Education" to "Minister of Basic Education". That is really the essence of the Bill. We will still have a chance to engage on substantive issues.
The last point I want to respond to is the one with regard to Afrikaans parents, raised by the leader from the FF Plus. It is Afrikaans parents who are outpacing even the proponents of your position. No one said Afrikaans parents should take their kids to English-speaking schools. It is Afrikaans parents who are taking their kids to English-speaking schools. Don't blame anybody else. It was the parents' choice, which we respect; it was not the political choice of any other party. No one is suppressing Afrikaans as a language, so don't blame it on us. It is Afrikaans parents making that choice.
As I have said, I would really like to thank members who have participated. We are really looking forward to the changes that will indeed make our education better. I thank you. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.
Bill read a second time.