Radio Islam News Team – 10/11/2015

The debate around the introduction of Mandarin in Gauteng public schools lingers on, with the DA DA Shadow Minister of Education Khume Ramulifho MPL saying the Education sector needs to “stop politicising and focus on the real issues on the ground”.

Ramulifho said education must first empower individuals so they can utilise their talents in exploring opportunities aimed at promoting and developing our nation with 75% of our schools being dysfunctional, the DA holds the view that government must focus on measures to move 75% of our schools from being dysfunctional to schools of excellence.

He also said that SA’s indigenous languages need to be promoted first, before introducing Mandarin.

“Everyone has the right to receive education in the official language or languages of their choice in public educational institutions where that education is reasonably practicable.

Our communities such as the Khoi, nama-Khoi and indigenous San languages have been lost and the Department of Basic Education didn’t step in and try to protect and preserve almost ancient African languages”.

It’s clear the DA holds the view that government needs to focus on measures to move 75% of our schools from being dysfunctional to schools of excellence.

Ramulifo says that schools need to be analysed to determine whether or not they fit the criteria to offer Mandarin as an additional language.

“Are we going to set performance targets for each school and through certain standards a school will qualify? Where is the plan?”