Stellenbosch University to review language policy

[Harold F. Schiffman]

University to review language policy

By Karen Breytenbach

The review of the University of Stellenbosch's controversial language
policy finally gets under way on Tuesday. On Monday Rector Chris Brink
announced in a letter to students and staff that a language task group,
under the leadership of Russel Botman, the vice-rector of teaching, has
been assigned to thoroughly revise the present policy. The policy, which
has sparked heated debate at the university and in the media, was accepted
by the university's council in December 2002 and was implemented in 2003.

It allows bilingual instruction for BA students and was intended to be
reviewed after three years. On Monday communications manager Mohamed
Shaikh released a statement about the announcement. In the letter the
rector said it would not be necessary to redesign the policy from scratch.
Brink said the language of tuition was an academic matter and the
executive responsibility of the vice-rector of teaching.

Botman is a theologian and former anti-apartheid activist who lectured at
the University of the Western Cape before joining Stellenbosch. Brink
appointed him as the new spokesperson on language at the university.



This article was originally published on page 3 of The Cape Times on
February 07, 2006


Published on the Web by IOL on 2006-02-07 03:12:00


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