Teaching Mandarin ‘form of colonisation’

THE introduction of Mandarin into the South African school curriculum was a form of colonisation‚ the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) said yesterday.

“Our culture and soul as a nation are not for sale. No international trade must undermine our culture‚” the union said after a meeting of its national executive committee.

At present, pupils have to take two languages – one home language and a second additional language as an examination subject.

The Department of Education has approved Mandarin as a subject to be included in next year’s curriculum. Other language choices in the curriculum include German‚ Serbian‚ Latin‚ Portuguese‚ Spanish‚ Tamil and Urdu. Mandarin‚ like these languages‚ is not compulsory.

The union said it welcomed the minister’s announcement on the expansion of a programme to introduce African languages in the 3 558 schools across all provinces that did not offer African languages.

“This is in line with the union’s call for the prioritisation of African indigenous languages in our schools,” it said.

“However‚ the union was disappointed with the pronouncement on the introduction of Mandarin as a subject with clear time frames and specified grades when we are slow in the development of our own languages.

“The department did not consult the stakeholders on the introduction of Mandarin and the union views this as a form of colonisation by China in exchange for the electronic gadgets for schools.”

Sadtu’s leadership said they intended to meet the Council of Traditional Leaders and Pan South African Language Board with the hope of getting some guidance on how to respond to the situation. – Rdm News Wire