EC matrics can now write in mother tongue
The Eastern Cape matric class of 2020 will make history on September 14 when they answer their matric preparation exams in any language of their choice.
To date, matrics have only been able to answer exam questions in English and Afrikaans.
Addressing pupils from various schools in Bhisho on Saturday morning, education MEC Fundile Gade said those who struggle with English and Afrikaans would now be able to understand the subject content better.
No pupil is stupid. There is “no such thing as a dumb child. Before one understands the content they must first understand the language.”
In 2012, 74 schools in Cofimvaba adopted a mother tongue-based teaching and assessment programme in grades 1,2 and 3 and started teaching subjects, including mathematics, in isiXhosa.
In 2017, the model was rolled out to a further 310 schools and extended to other lower grades.
The programme was implemented at grade 12 level this year.
Gade said more than 2,000 schools in the province had started with the programme since its introduction by former MEC Mahlubandile Qwase. This is a programme that is
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almost eight years old now and it is reaching saturation point at grade 12.”
He was optimistic the move would help the Eastern Cape achieve an 80% matric pass
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a feat that would place the province among the top four in the country.
The grade 12s begin their mock final exams on Monday next week. Gade said despite the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the department had organised revision camps to prepare the pupils for the exams.
We are ensuring that we
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check and balance the systems that we have put in place. We have a plan that has been constantly producing results for the past three years and we are looking forward to seeing its results despite Covid-19.
I feel sure we will achieve
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the target we set and continue the high quality results the province has been producing.”
Educational specialist Mary Metcalfe said broadening options to use the first language as a medium of teaching and assessment would strengthen teaching and learning.
This needs to be supported
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by a comprehensive strategy of making learning material available in the chosen languages. This initiative will have interesting implications for the process of standardisation of NSC results. I am excited and
MOTHER TONGUE: hope this is being carefully monitored so we can all learn from this initiative.”
Kingsridge High School for Girls pupil Amohetsoe Mbude, 17, said the programme would have a positive impact on all pupils. I will answer my exams
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in Xhosa. English can be confusing sometimes, especially on critical subjects. Some pupils end up not understanding the questions, so it is a great initiative by the department to be inclusive of all languages. I have been doing isiXhosa
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as a first additional language since grade 3. We will be comfortable with this we will
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answer easily because now we don t have the task of having to translate to English first.”