The following article from the Cape Town paper, the Cape Argus, was seen on AllAfrica.com at http://allafrica.com/stories/200505180075.html ... DZO
African Language for All Kids Cape Argus (Cape Town) http://www.capeargus.co.za May 17, 2005 Posted to the web May 18, 2005 Theresa Smith The time has come to make the learning of an African indigenous language compulsory in all our schools, Education Minister Naledi Pandor declared today. The statement during her budget speech drew applause from visitors in the National Assembly gallery . Pandor also said no-fee schools would be introduced from next year and she would be improving funding support for poor pupils. Fee exemptions would still be provided in fee-based public schools. Referring to news reports that English might become optional in schools, Pandor said requirements of the Further Education and Training Curriculum stated that at least two languages, one of which had to be the language of learning and teaching, had to be taken by pupils in their last three years of school. She said the new FET policy opened up the possibility of developing other official languages into languages of learning. The minister said that this was in no way an anti-Afrikaans campaign. "All languages must be promoted and allowed to thrive." Pandor did not indicate a time frame in which an African language would become compulsory. Although the language issue was one of the most contentious, Pandor spoke about other challenges facing the education system. She said it was clear that despite plans, an act, several initiatives and a quality assurance system, adult-based education and training targets for improving adult literacy were not working. She would therefore establish a ministerial committee to investigate other countries' models of mass literacy. "I have signed a letter of intent with my Cuban counterpart, Dr Luis Gomez, which included an intention to investigate South Africa's adoption and adaptation of a Cuban-inspired mass literacy model currently in use in Venezuela and New Zealand." Funding of adult learning centres was being finalised. Pandor said she was awaiting feedback from the SA Union of Vice- Chancellors about the department's proposals on limiting student enrolments to institutions of higher education. -- ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> In low income neighborhoods, 84% do not own computers. At Network for Good, help bridge the Digital Divide! http://us.click.yahoo.com/S.QlOD/3MnJAA/Zx0JAA/TpIolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AfricanLanguages/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
