Answer to Question #233161 in English for Mahlatse

Question

The south African schools act pronounces on several matters. Four are listed below. For each of them consider their value, and extend to which they have been implemented and indicate the challenges that they present

1. Language policy of public schools(15)
2. Curriculum and assessment (15)
3. Religion (15)
4. Representative councils of learners (15)

Answer 1

1.     South Africa is a multilingual society with certain specific linguistic issues as a result of its apartheid policies. On one hand, tensions exist between the country's two official languages, Afrikaans and English. On a different level, linguistic difficulties exist between ethnic Europeans and the African majority, most notably in school language training. This problem was the catalyst for the terrible 1976 Soweto riots. To comprehend this event and the current language issue, some history on the English vs. Afrikaans struggle is required.

2.     For all of the subjects listed in the National Curriculum Statement Grades R - 12, a National Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement is a single, comprehensive, and concise policy document that has replaced the Subject and Learning Area Statements, Learning Program Guidelines, and Subject Assessment Guidelines. Statements of Curriculum and Assessment Policy for each recognized school subject specified in the policy document National policy relates to the program and promotion requirements of the National Curriculum Statement Grades R – 12. The policy document National policy relative to the program and promotion requirements of the National Curriculum Statement Grades R – 12 defines the number of subjects that learners in each grade should offer, as well as the promotion standards that must be met. The National Protocol for Assessment Grades R–12 is a policy document that standardizes the recording and reporting processes for Grades R–12.

3.     The South African government is keen to equip learners with knowledge of religion, morality, values, and diversity in this regard, insisting that public schools are institutions with a duty to serve society as a whole. Within the democratic constitutional system. The role of religion in public schools in South Africa must be consistent with the country's key constitutional values of common citizenship, human rights, equality, equity, and freedom from discrimination, as well as religious freedom and conscience. The South African Schools Act (Act 94 of 1996) protects all people' constitutional rights to freedom of conscience, religion, thought, belief, and opinion, as well as freedom from discrimination in public on any basis, including religion. During apartheid, South Africa had a long history of Christian religious practices in government schools. The post-apartheid 1996 Constitution and the 1996 South African Schools Act, however, nonetheless provide these schools a lot of leeway when it comes to incorporating religious principles into the educational process.

4.     Learners' Representative Council the South African Schools Act, 1996 (Act 84 OF 1996) allows students in grades 8 and up to participate more actively. The Act also establishes a uniform structure for school organization, governance, and funding, which requires active engagement from educators' parents, students, and community members. In South Africa, a school government model based on elections allows for limited participation of children as representatives of secondary school students. For pupils in courses below grade 8, there is no legal provision for a representation body. Nothing prevents schools from establishing systems in which primary school students can participate in ways that are appropriate for their developing abilities.