Forcing pupils to do history is ‘overkill’

MAKING history a compulsory, stand-alone subject for all pupils in grades 10 to 12 was curriculum overkill, educationists said yesterday.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has formalised her intention to amend the timetable by appointing a seven-member task team to investigate how best to implement the introduction of compulsory history.

She made the announcement via a notice in the Government Gazette at the weekend.

But two teachers’ unions and two governing body associations yesterday rejected the move. Basil Manuel, the president of the National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa), and Allen Thompson, of the National Teachers’ Union (Natu) said itwould not fly.

But both unions were willing to consider the idea of incorporating history content into life-orientation lessons in high school classrooms.

Paul Colditz, the head of the Federation of Governing Bodies of South African Schools (Fedsas), yesterday said his organisation did not support the move as children should not be forced to take a subject they did not enjoy, and to drop another.

Tim Gordon, the head of the Governing Body Foundation, said it was opposed to adding any subject not already part of the compulsory curriculum in grades 10 to 12.

Basic Education spokesman Elijah Mhlanga would not commit to an implementation date, saying it was a long way off because the public participation process was just beginning.

Motshekga said research showed that history lessons had positive effects such as contributing to nation-building.