The following article from from the South African government news service BuaNews was seen on AllAfrica.com at http://allafrica.com/stories/200511220436.html . DZO
Talks Continue On Language Policy to Promote Indigenous Languages BuaNews (Tshwane) http://www.gcis.gov.za/ November 22, 2005 Posted to the web November 22, 2005 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. ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Know an art & music fan? Make a donation in their honor this holiday season! http://us.click.yahoo.com/.6dcNC/.VHMAA/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/
