The Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) embraces the settlement reached between the Department of Education and Kyle Springate and others to exempt the primary applicant from the requirement of having seven subjects which includes two languages for the completion of a senior certificate.
In terms of the agreement Kyle will now be free to complete his matric without the burden of having to choose another language which he had not studied from grade 10. PanSALB has been informed that the Minister of Education will exempt Kyle by endorsing the certificate to allow the applicant to further his studies at tertiary level with six subjects which include one language. Further, there would be continued engagement between the department and the other parties which include Deaf Federation of South Africa (DEAFSA) on the status of sign language within the education system.
"As PanSALB we will be participating in an engagement with all the parties, to ensure that we find a lasting solution. We will also be engaging other government departments to ensure that there is more sensitivity in addressing the plight of the deaf communities," said Chris Swepu, Acting Chief Executive Officer of PanSALB.
This is not an isolated case where state institutions have shown reluctance in promoting multilingualism. For instance, the failure by government departments and related institutions to develop language policies and implement multilingualism is living proof that the matter has been consigned to the periphery.
Whilst we appreciate the settlement, as PanSALB we find it regrettable that it took a court case of this nature to sensitise the department about the need to honour the Constitution and cater for the linguistic needs of the deaf community.
We are still maintaining as PanSALB that this matter can only be addressed by the passing of a National Language Act that would make it a law for public institutions to implement multilingualism.
Enquiries:
Sibusiso Nkosi
Tel: 012 341 9638
Cell: 082 855 4436
Issued by: Pan South African Language Board
19 August 2009
