A total of 138 former Model C schools in the Eastern Cape which had never offered an African language are now doing so, said education MEC Mandla Makupula.
Makupula made the revelation at the launch of a multilingual book for provincial schools at the King David Hotel in East London on Wednesday night.
The book, which consists of Xhosa, Sotho, Afrikaans and English lessons, will be used at all schools across the province.
The department sent out circulars last year to all schools offering a teaching post for indigenous language.
Makupula said this was part of ensuring transformation at schools.
“Some schools still resist change,” he said.
“ it has to be done for the future of our children and of this country. When we die, we need to leave knowing that the future of our children is safe for all of us.”
He said the province was ahead of others in the country.
“The Eastern Cape is leading provinces. It is only the Western Cape which said it will pilot 10 schools, other provinces have not started.”
The MEC thanked the schools which had participated in the pilot project. The 138 are from a total of 339 schools that had never offered an African language.
Makupula said next year all schools will be required to offer an indigenous language.
But provincial language policy manager Naledi Mbude-Shale said the multilingual book was already in demand by other provinces and the department was busy with negotiating distribution terms.
Mbude-Shale said some schools had indicated their interest in taking part in the provincial pilot project, adding that the national Department of Education will be implementing a policy on the introduction of indigenous languages next year.
“The province is already ahead and by next year we will no longer be piloting but implementing the language policy.
“In fact, all schools have their teaching posts for indigenous languages this year,” she said.
“Schools that are not ready to implement these changes are required to make a submission to the department so that next year all outstanding issues are covered.”
Mbude-Shale singled out Komga Junior Primary School pupil John-Ross Miles and AW Barnes Primary for special praise.
Miles was named the best multilingual pupil in the province at the event while AW Barnes was honoured as the school with the best multilingual teachers.
Komga Junior Primary principal Lester Pike said the school and Miles’s parents were surprised he had received the award and were proud of him. — msindisif@dispatch.co.za
138 ex-Model C schools embrace language policy
Makupula made the revelation at the launch of a multilingual book for provincial schools at the King David Hotel in East London on Wednesday night.
The book, which consists of Xhosa, Sotho, Afrikaans and English lessons, will be used at all schools across the province.
The department sent out circulars last year to all schools offering a teaching post for indigenous language.
Makupula said this was part of ensuring transformation at schools.
“Some schools still resist change,” he said.
“ it has to be done for the future of our children and of this country. When we die, we need to leave knowing that the future of our children is safe for all of us.”
He said the province was ahead of others in the country.
“The Eastern Cape is leading provinces. It is only the Western Cape which said it will pilot 10 schools, other provinces have not started.”
The MEC thanked the schools which had participated in the pilot project. The 138 are from a total of 339 schools that had never offered an African language.
Makupula said next year all schools will be required to offer an indigenous language.
But provincial language policy manager Naledi Mbude-Shale said the multilingual book was already in demand by other provinces and the department was busy with negotiating distribution terms.
Mbude-Shale said some schools had indicated their interest in taking part in the provincial pilot project, adding that the national Department of Education will be implementing a policy on the introduction of indigenous languages next year.
“The province is already ahead and by next year we will no longer be piloting but implementing the language policy.
“In fact, all schools have their teaching posts for indigenous languages this year,” she said.
“Schools that are not ready to implement these changes are required to make a submission to the department so that next year all outstanding issues are covered.”
Mbude-Shale singled out Komga Junior Primary School pupil John-Ross Miles and AW Barnes Primary for special praise.
Miles was named the best multilingual pupil in the province at the event while AW Barnes was honoured as the school with the best multilingual teachers.
Komga Junior Primary principal Lester Pike said the school and Miles’s parents were surprised he had received the award and were proud of him. — msindisif@dispatch.co.za
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