Department of Higher Education and Training
The process of developing a green paper on post-school education and training will also address the issue of African languages.
This is according to notice 103 of Government Gazette 35028 dated 10 February 2012, announcing the establishment of a ministerial advisory panel on developing African languages as languages of scholarship at institutions of higher education.
The notice sets out the panel’s “specific terms of reference”, which include:
• reviewing existing language policy for higher education in relation to the development of African languages, recommending how it can be improved;
• investigating “obstacles presented by the current structure and operations of the publishing industry” to the development and use of African languages, suggesting how this can be improved;
• considering “the mainstreaming” of African languages in university budgets and academic activities.
Promulgated in 2002, the language policy for higher education “seeks to promote multilingualism in institutional policies and practices”.
It provides for “the simultaneous development of a multilingualism environment in which all languages are developed as academic and/or scientific languages, while at the same time ensuring that the existing languages of instruction do not serve as a barrier to access and success”.
The policy notes that “the role of language and access to language skills is critical to ensuring the right of individuals to realise their full potential to participate in and contribute to the social, cultural, intellectual, economic and political life of South African society”.
According to the notice, the work of the panel will be informed by “relevant parts” of the draft charter for humanities and social sciences.
Higher education and training minister Blade Nzimande received a report on the draft charter during August 2011.
A draft green paper on post-school education and training was published during January 2012 for comment.
Sabinet Cape Town Office
Post new comment