The introduction of Mandarin into the South African school curriculum is a form of colonisation‚ the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) said on Monday.

“Our culture and souls as a nation are not for sale. No international trade must undermine our culture‚” the union said in a statement after a meeting of its National Executive Committee.

Currently‚ pupils have to take two languages — one home language and a second additional language as an examination subject.

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

The union said in a statement after a meeting of its National Executive Committee that 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 don’t currently offer African languages.

“This is in line with the union’s call for the prioritization of African indigenous languages in our schools.

“However‚ the union was disappointed with the pronouncement on the introduction of Mandarin as a subject with clear timeframes 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 colonization by China in exchange for the electronic gadgets for schools.”

Sadtu’s leadership said they intend to meet with the Council of Traditional Leaders and Pan South African Language Board “with the hope of getting some guidance on how to respond to this situation”.

The union also planned to convene seminars to canvass opinions. “This will be done to help our people‚ not to allow another foreign domination in our country irrespective of whether such a country is investing in our country”.

Sadtu also criticised a decision by the Department of Basic Education to make schools write examinations on Saturdays and holidays.

“The NEC took a decision to inform members to refuse to supervise examinations on Saturdays and holidays. This unilateral policy is a recipe for disaster. This is what no teacher must accept because it is educationally unsound and can only be introduced by a person who lacks understanding of education. No changes to conditions of service should be implemented without negotiations. No teacher must administer tests or invigilate exams on weekend or holidays.”

Other resolutions by the NEC include to recommend to the department that it allocate a budget to improve and assist teachers with school based assessment procedures; strengthen the management of teaching in schools‚ “relook the negative impact of over-emphasis on testing of learners” and assess the real pedagogical and emotional readiness of learners as they progress through the grades.