A DEAF KwaZulu-Natal matric pupil has withdrawn his court bid to force the education department to allow him to use sign language in his exams, the Pietermaritzburg high court heard yesterday .

A DEAF KwaZulu-Natal matric pupil has withdrawn his court bid to force the education department to allow him to use sign language in his exams, the Pietermaritzburg high court heard yesterday .

Kyle Springate of Westville Boys High in Durban will, however, continue with his second application to have sign language declared an official matric subject.

The application was withdrawn because the matric exams are just around the corner.

Springate has been studying sign language with the education department's blessing throughout high school.

Now, with only months until his final examinations, the education department has told him it is not a recognised matric subject.

The department filed papers opposing Springate's application yesterday. Springate has the support of the Pan South African Language Board. - Sapa