Introduction of African Languages in 2014

Subject: Pilot  project  based on Draft  Policy on Incremental  Introduction of African
Languages in Grade 1 in 2014

1. Background
1.1 The Department of  Basic  Education  has  issued  the Draft  Policy  on  the Incremental
Introduction of African Languages (IIAL).  This draft policy will be piloted in Grade 1 in 2014
in a selection of schools in all provinces.

1.2 The draft policy has 3 aims:


 To promote and strengthen the use of African  Languages by all learners in the school system
 To improve proficiency in and utility of African Languages at Home Language level

so that learners are able to use their African  Home Language proficiently for
academic purposes as the language of teaching and learning
 To promote social cohesion

2. Implementation of the pilot project in the Western Cape Education Department (WCED)
2.1 The WCED will  implement the IIAL pilot project  in  10 to 20 schools situated in the Metro
education districts in 2014.
2.2    The schools involved in the project will offer Xhosa First Additional Language in Grade 1.
They will, therefore, be schools currently offering the following language options:  English
Home Language and Afrikaans First Additional Language OR Afrikaans Home Language
and English First Additional Language. Thus, the second First Additional  Language to be
offered will be Xhosa.
2.3 The pilot  project  will run for one year (January to December 2014) and will involve all
Grade 1 classes and learners in each of the schools concerned.  In September 2014, these 
schools will be consulted on what they have learned from the project and their plans for
2015 and beyond.
2.4 The following resources will be made available in 2014 to all the schools involved:
 The Department of Basic Education will provide FAL Xhosa learner workbooks.
 The WCED will provide itinerant teachers to these schools. Contract posts will be
advertised soon in a special vacancy list.
2.5 Schools who wish to be considered for the pilot project should, in consultation with their
school governing body (SGB) and district office, complete the attached Annexure A form
and submit it to the WCED. In considering whether to apply, SGBs must bear in mind the
implications for the length of the school day and the timetable, for example, whether to
extend school time or use the current time allocation for Grade 1 (23 hours per week).
2.6 The  completed Annexure A application form  must be e-mailed  to
Phumla.Satyo@westerncape.gov.za by 18 September 2013. Schools will be informed of the
outcome of their application by 10 October 2013. 
2.7   Should a school be accepted for the project, then the parents of new Grade 1 learners to
be admitted in 2014 must be informed of this.

3. Further enquiries can be directed to Mrs  PP Satyo,  Acting Chief  Director: Curriculum
Development, at  e-mail address  Phumla.Satyo@westerncape.gov.za or telephone
number  021 467 2622.
SIGNED: BK SCHREUDER
DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL: CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT MANAGEMENT
DATE: 2013-09-06


Schools wishing to be part of the Pilot Project in 2014 can download the forms below.

The Curriculum GET Minute (DCG 0014/2013) is attached.

Curriculum GET Minute DCG 0014-2013.pdf 295K   View   Download

Kurrikulum AOO-minuut DCG 0014-2013.pdf 298K   View   Download

INgcaciso eMfutshane yeCandeloleKharityhulam yeGET DCG 0014-2013.pdf 338K   View   Download