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Media Release

6 May, 2005


Language in Education Policy

The approach of the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) to mother-tongue education is in line with the Language in Education Policy of the national Department of Education.

School governing bodies may determine medium of instruction, in terms of the South African Schools Act.

In terms of the Language in Education Policy, if 40 learners at a high school request a language, the school must make every effort to accommodate them, and may ask the district office to assist in making this possible.

The language policy is currently being revised and we will advise schools once the revised policy has been gazetted. The policy will refine our approach to these issues.

The Language in Education Policy recognises the critical importance of mother-tongue as the language of the heart and the hearth.

The policy also promotes additive multilingualism. This means that learners must learn additional languages at the same time as maintaining and developing their home languages.

Additive multilingualism makes it possible for learners to acquire complex skills such as reading and writing in their strongest language. They are then able to transfer these skills to their additional language.

The policy of the WCED is to provide mother-tongue instruction in the Foundation Phase, followed by additive multilingualism in subsequent phases, in line with national policy.

The Revised National Curriculum Statement also recognises the importance of mother–tongue instruction for learning is to be effective.

For this reason, the General Education and Training requires a thorough knowledge of the learners’ mother-tongue or home language, to provide a sound base for learning additional languages.


Issued by:
Paddy Attwell
Director: Communication
Western Cape Education Department
Tel: 021 467 2531
Fax: 021 461 3694
Email: pattwell@pgwc.gov.za

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