There are 11 official languages in South Africa but around 25 different languages are spoken. These 11 languages are granted official status because 98% of the total population speak these languages.
The Eastern Cape Department of Education will offer certain question papers in home languages for the Grade 12 preparatory examination for 2021.
These are the three languages that are the mother tongue for students in the Eastern Cape:
Legislations That Guide Multilingual Education In Schools
These are the legislations listed below:
- Department of Education Language Policy
- National Language Policy Framework
- South African Constitution
- National Education Policy Act
- South African Schools Act
- National Curriculum Statement
- National Develop Plan
What Are The Subjects That I Can Do?
The following six subjects was selected:
- Accounting Paper 1 and Paper 2 (This will be the first time in 2021)
- Agricultural Sciences Paper 1 and Paper 2 (Also the first time in 2021)
- History Paper 1 and Paper 2
- Life Sciences Paper 1 and Paper 2
- Mathematics Paper 1 and Paper 2
- Physical Sciences Paper 1 and Paper 2 (For the first time in 2021)
In Which Languages Can I Do These Subjects?
There is a certain format in which these papers will be done:
*This means that the papers will be done in a bilingual format.
Which Schools Will Be Targeted?
These are the schools that will be targeted in 2021 for the preparatory examination:
- Grade 12 learners in Quintile 1 schools
- Grade 12 learners in Quintile 2 schools
- Grade 12 learners in Quintile 3 schools
Important Information You Need To Know When You Choose Your Language
These are the conditions you need to adhere to:
- You have to choose your preferred language during the preparatory examinations when answering the questions
- You are allowed to read the questions in both languages
- You may switch between the languages if deemed necessary
- You will NOT be penalised for using different languages in your answering book
*The aim is to accommodate learners needs
How Do These Papers Get Marked?
A plan should be drafted by the schools and the Curriculum Section in districts to mark the papers.
- If teachers cannot mark a particular subject in a particular language then they may ask for assistance from schools within the same cluster
- The moderation of these subjects should also be catered for
- The credibility of the marking process should not be compromised
Monitoring And Reporting
Schools that offer these options should monitor and provide feedback on the goals of this project.
The feedback is important because it looks at the success of the project as well as areas where improvement is required.
Appropriate tools will be given to schools before the preparatory examination starts.
The main goal of this project is to encourage indigenous African languages and to promote national unity. It also takes into account the following:
- Acceptance of linguistic diversity
- Social justice
- Equal access to public services and programmes
- Respect for language rights
