BY: MASHUDU MAGADU
AS of 2025, pupils in grade 4 will be taught mathematics, natural science and technology in their mother tongue.
This will be done through the Mother Tongue-based Bilingual Education (MTBBE).
This was revealed by Basic Education Minister, Angie Motshekga in the Free State on Tuesday, 21 May while addressing education stakeholders on developments of the MTBBE programme, which has been piloted in the Eastern Cape since 2012.
After multiple assessments and adjustments almost 12 years later, Motshekga said the pilot process has given them confidence to start. She said it would now be expanded across the country to improve educational outcomes by allowing pupils to learn complex subjects in a language they’re more comfortable with.
According to Dr Mark Chetty, director for National Assessment, the roll-out will be done gradually, with the first cohort who will proceed with it to grade 7.
“We know the language spoken at home isn’t the same as the one they use to receive instruction. We expect the result to come out as a linguist robot. We need to appreciate diversity and each child has the right to revive instruction and be assessed in a way that they’re given a chance to express their skills”, Chetty said.
Chetty said the assessment process would be seamless, starting with the national assessment for grade 4.
“The new assessment will replace the end-of-year examination in November 2025, giving pupils ample time to prepare with practice question papers throughout 2024. Moderation will occur at district level, with professional and district assessment coordinators monitoring implementation,” he said.
According to Chetty, pupils will be allowed to answer questions in their mother tongue or first additional language without being penalized. Free State Education MEC Makalo Mohale welcomed Motshekga’s pronouncement.
“We know the power of language. We know the history of language in this country. We won’t resolve the issue of access and success until we deal with impediments related to language usage in our schools,” said Mohale
