School language policy pilot continues

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Published Feb 24, 2014

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Johannesburg - The African language pilot policy of the basic education department would continue, the department said on Monday.

The pilot project, the Incremental Introduction of African Languages (IIAL), has not failed, it said.

“It is far too soon to judge the success or otherwise of the pilot,” the department said.

“The purpose of the pilot is to identify challenges in the implementation of IIAL in order to inform full scale implementation in 2015.”

In 2012, the department announced that the full implementation would be preceded by pilot Grade one classes in selected schools in 2014.

The IIAL policy would be implemented incrementally, commencing in Grade 1 in 2015 and continuing until 2026 when it would be implemented in Grade 12.

IIAL into Grade R would not be implemented at this stage.

“The pilot project is targeting the introduction of the previously marginalised African languages in schools where an African language is presently not offered,” the department said.

“Presently plans are underway for the pilot implementation in Grade 1, commencing February 1 until October, 31, 2014.”

Provinces were in the process of finalising the appointment of pilot teachers, it said.

The department said it was cognisant of the immensity of the challenge and said that was why it was not rushing the implementation.

Sapa

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