No university should use Afrikaans as its single medium of instruction, according to a policy framework for higher education approved by Cabinet on Wednesday.
”The notion of Afrikaans universities runs counter to the end goal of a transformed higher education system,” the policy states. It provides the framework subject to which the councils of universities and technikons have to determine their language policies by the end of March next year.
A committee headed by businessman Prof Jakes Gerwel — who was director-general in the office of former president Nelson Mandela — proposed that the University of Stellenbosch and the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education be designated as the custodians of the academic use of Afrikaans.
But the policy says: ”…The designation of one or more institutions in this manner could have the unintended consequence of concentrating Afrikaans-speaking students in some institutions and in so doing setting back the transformation agenda of institutions that have embraced parallel or dual medium approaches as a means of promoting diversity.”
The education ministry does not believe the sustainability of Afrikaans in higher education requires such a step, it says. Strategies to ensure the sustainability of Afrikaans as a medium of academic expression and communication include the adoption of parallel and dual medium options, the document states.
”(This) would on the one hand cater for the needs of Afrikaans language speakers and, on the other, ensure that language of instruction is not a barrier to access and success.
”… The ministry will, in consultation with the historically Afrikaans medium institutions, examine the feasibility of different strategies, including the use of Afrikaans as a primary but not a sole medium of instruction.”
The policy provides that English and Afrikaans be retained as mediums of instruction at higher education level, with a longer term view of developing others for academic or scientific use.
”It is envisaged that other South African languages will be used as languages of instruction in higher education,” Education Minister Kader Asmal said in a statement after the Cabinet meeting.
”In the light of practical and other considerations the policy recognises the need to work within the confines of the status quo until such time as other South African languages have been developed to a level where they may be used in all higher education functions.”
The policy document says the ministry will urgently establish a task team to advise it on how to go about and how to fund the development of other South African languages as mediums of instruction. Development of dictionaries and other support material will be necessary.
”The success of such a historic undertaking will depend on the injection, over a period of time, of substantial financial resources. The level of resourcing will be comparable to the investments that were made in the past to develop Afrikaans as a medium of instruction in higher education.”
Asmal said the policy aimed to promote the study of South African languages and literature, including the Khoi, San and Nama languages, through planning and funding incentives.
Similar strategies would be followed to encourage the study of foreign languages, particularly those important for the country’s cultural, trade and diplomatic relations.
”Higher education institutions are encouraged to foster multilingualism by way of appropriate institutional policies and practices, such as requiring proficiency in an African language as a requisite for a range of academic fields of study,” Asmal said.
”Promoting multilingualism (will foster) a common sense of nationhood that is consistent with the values of democracy, social justice and fundamental rights which are enshrined in our Constitution.”
Strategies in this regard mentioned include requiring proficiency in an African language in certain study fields and giving preference to potential students with matriculation passes in indigenous languages.
”The policy also recognises the need to ensure equity of access and fair chances of success for all who seek to realise their potential through higher education,” Asmal said.
”The ministry recognises the need for this policy framework to be responsive to the needs of the disabled, for example, developing competencies and capacity in sign language,” the policy states. – Sapa