Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News-2013-06-13

A new policy which could be implemented at all schools from as early as next year could see an African language including Afrikaans becoming compulsory for all pupils until matric.

Afrikaans for the first time has been included as an African language. Previously the Department of Basic Education referred to African languages, English and Afrikaans.

The portfolio committees on basic education and higher education and training held a joint meeting on Tuesday (11 June) in Parliament about the draft policy, which planned to make it compulsory for Grade R and Grade 1 pupils to learn a third, African language. The plan, which will be implemented incrementally until 2025, will see all pupils learning three languages.

Currently pupils are required to learn two languages – their home language and an additional language

Acting deputy director-general for curriculum, policy, monitoring and support Mathanzima Mweli said, “The major change is that African languages will be offered at all schools offering Grade R and Grade 1.”

Mweli attributed this to the “changing profile of learner population” at schools saying the African language, which would include Xitsonga, any Nguni language, a Sotho language, Tshivenda or Afrikaans, would have to be learned at a first additional language level.

Mweli added that members of the public would be called to comment on the draft policy in a month’s time.

Addressing concerns that there would not be sufficient teachers, Mweli said audits of teachers had been conducted in all provinces. He also said they realised additional time would have to be added to the school day and were discussing this with the education labour relations council.

The portfolio committees welcomed the plan by the Department of Basic Education to incrementally implement the use of African languages in all South African schools.

Hope Malgas, Basic education committee chairwoman expressed appreciation that the “long overdue” step had finally been taken.

The Cape Times reported last month that in order to “promote multilingualism” and foster “social cohesion” primary school pupils in Grade R and Grade 1 would have to learn an African language as a first additional language.

The department said it would prepare for “full-scale implementation” by phasing in the policy at selected schools in each of the provinces this year. – IOL