Talks Continue On Language Policy to Promote Indigenous Languages

[Harold F. Schiffman]

Talks Continue On Language Policy to Promote Indigenous Languages

BuaNews (Tshwane)
November 22, 2005

By Nozipho Dlamini
Pretoria

Education Minister Naledi Pandor says a draft language policy aimed at
promoting the use of home language at primary school level was still being
refined. Minister Pandor was addressing the media following the Council of
Education Ministers (CEM) meeting in Pretoria North yesterday. According
to the minister the draft policy on the promotion of mother tongue
education and the acquisition of at least one indigenous language at
primary school level was still under discussion .

"The draft needs to clarify on where the resources required to introduce
such policy would come from, we therefore decided to send it back for
refinement after being presented to us today, " said Ms Pandor. She said
the CEM, however, approved protocol on assessment for general and further
training band, grades R-12, draft guidelines on school uniforms and the
proposed school calendar for 2007/2008. Regarding school uniforms, Ms
Pandor said although the final decision rested with the schools, the
policy stressed that schools should not demand excessively expensive
uniform. She said it also encouraged schools to require only essentials.

She said the meeting received a report on the readiness of the
implementation of the National Curriculum Statement. "Its all systems go.
The distribution of subject statements for all languages level to all
schools and districts was completed by September this year. "Distribution
of grade 10 text book catalogue and teacher orientation is progressing
well and in 2006 training will be provided for grade11-12 teachers," said
Ms Pandor.

She also said the CEM noted that KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo were behind
with school infrastructure programmes. "We are doing all we can to rid the
backlog of 112 classrooms in these two provinces. Our children cannot
continue to learn under trees, if it means we need to provide mobile
classrooms- so let it be," she said. She further said more than 3 000
schools in rural areas still had no proper sanitation.

But Ms Pandor said she was pleased that most schools around the country
had access to clean water. Minister Pandor said the CEM was briefed by the
Department of Communication on the implementation of e-Rate. "The e-Rate
is aimed at addressing the costs of Information and Communication
Technologies (ICTs) at schools and also enhance the learning environment.
"This will fast track the use and uptake of internet at public schools. I
am pleased that public schools will receive a 50 percent discount," she
said. She also confirmed that the senior certificate results would be
released on 29 December in Cape Town. There will be a satellite link to
Pretoria.


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