Dlamini Zuma using history for her agenda
From: NARENDH GANESH Durban North
THE article last week “Row over school history attack” raises serious concerns about how politicians are using the subject of history to achieve their ends.
Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, already touted as presidentelect in some quarters, fired a salvo at former Model C schools for influencing pupils to hold anti-ANC opinions. But it is my view that her attack is in itself uneducated and without warrant.
Schools, whether state, private or in-between have a responsibility to educate a diverse learner population who are also influenced via social media forums.The learning of history cannot be curtailed or streamlined to allow agendas to be perpetrated. It is one of those subjects that gives opportunity to reminisce, contemplate and evaluate events and people who have influenced the progress, or lack thereof, of mankind.
Admittedly, South Africa has a unique perspective on, if not contribution to, world history but to restrict aspects of such history will diminish a global perspective and outlook for pupils who may well be denied an opportunity to become lateral and incisive thinkers.
The ideology of KZN MEC for Education Mthandeni Dlungwana that “the education system had to be transformed” in favour of replacing European and US history with that of our African heroes and heroines is grossly disingenuous. History cannot be viewed in isolation to any particular aspect of any part of the world. It is a plethora of interrelated events that shapes the world and influences thinking.
Admittedly, African history has a heritage of influence as well and the necessity for its incorporation in the teaching of history is important but its relevance cannot be made to supercede world history as a whole. Many African men and women have influenced world history, none more so than Nelson Mandela.
Once the state becomes prescriptive in the teaching of history, many untoward inferences arise. Our education system must not be subjected to pedantic political motives simply as a veiled retribution to those who are perceived as “oppressors”.
Dlamini Zuma and her ilk should not try to shape thinking of pupils. Pupils must be given all the tools and then be allowed to exert their right of free thinking individuals in a democracy that cherishes freedoms in every respect.
FROM: CONCERNED EDUCATOR
AS A senior history teacher teaching at a so-called ex-Model C school in Durban, I would like to respond to the statements by Education MEC Mthandeni Dlungwana and Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma.
1) They should familiarise themselves with the current syllabi taught before criticising it, as the syllabi are divided fairly equally into a study of European/ US/Far East (China and South America) history, as well as African history, including African “heroes” such as Moshoeshoe, Shaka and Stephen Biko, to mention a few.
2) Learners in grades 10, 11 and 12 write two history papers: European/Middle East/Far East/ South America – Incas and Aztecs, as well as China/US history; and Paper Two is South African history.
3) Both papers offer a case study of an African country in grade 12.
Therefore the syllabus is fairly varied and not simply “European and US history”. Naturally as we are living in a democratic country with respect for human rights, our teaching should allow for inclusivity of views from all cultures and race groups as we are living in a Rainbow Nation. Therefore, I believe implicitly in Mr Mthethwa’s comment “our learners must be taught the true reflection of our history”.
History seeks to encourage debate in the pursuit of the truth.
If we are to impose “a blinkered” history and forbid healthy discussion we are returning to the apartheid history syllabi of the past which encouraged merely rote learning.
The activists of the past challenged these syllabi and eventually apartheid crumbled.
FROM: ISMAIL M. MOOLLA, Umzinto
NKOSAZANA Dlamini Zuma should go back to her medical profession and leave politics to the politicians.
Why is she interfering with Model C schools and accusing them of feeding pupils anti-ANC information?
I agree with Prof Ruksana Osman, the dean of the faculty of humanities at Wits University, who said the government should not be pushing party views.