South Africa: College sued for ditching Afrikaans

[Harold F. Schiffman]

College sued for ditching Afrikaans

A Mpumalanga teacher is suing the Lowveld Agricultural College for R80 000
because it stopped teaching in Afrikaans, the Lowvelder Online reported on
Tuesday. Barberton teacher Marietjie Pienaar said the college was not
adhering to its advertised language policy. In protest against the change
in policy and the handling of the matter by authorities, Pienaar withdrew
her son Harold from the college in 2006, while he was in his second year.

Harold, 23, wanted to specialise in irrigation. Pienaar is attempting to
recover his tuition and boarding fees as well as other expenses. According
to the institution's brochure all classes were offered separately in
Afrikaans and English. Pienaar said little Afrikaans was spoken in classes
and that most lecturers could not speak it. The Lowvelder quoted Pienaar
as saying that the college's authorities had been indifferent to her
attempts to bring the matter to their attention. She said it was a pity
the college had changed its policy as it was one of the few institutions
that specialised in irrigation. College head George Xaba declined to
comment. - Sapa


http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=qw116894916187B232

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