All schools will in 2014 be forced to teach one indigenous language as part of their curriculum.
The language would be determined by the region or province the school is located. This includes former model C schools.
Speaking at the ANC elective conference in Bloemfontein yesterday, social transformation committee member Joe Phaahla said this was in the spirit of preserving and promoting cultural heritage.
The Department of Basic Education had given assurance that this will be implemented in the next two years, said Phaahla, who is also deputy minister of arts and culture.
"The policy is already far advanced, by 2014 we will be able to implement it.
"If for example a school is in the Free State, then it will automatically teach SeSotho as compulsory, in KwaZulu-Natal it will be isiZulu," he said.
Phaahla said this would also avert the closure of African languages departments at various tertiary institutions.
The policy comes amidst results of the 2011 census which showed a decline in six of the 11 official languages. The ANC has continuously raised concern that African languages were undermined.
The ANC stopped short of making it compulsory to sing the national anthem each day before classes commenced.
It made a U-turn from a recommendation it made at its June policy conference to enforce this and resolved that it must only be promoted.
Indigenous languages compulsory at all schools
All schools will in 2014 be forced to teach one indigenous language as part of their curriculum.
The language would be determined by the region or province the school is located. This includes former model C schools.
Speaking at the ANC elective conference in Bloemfontein yesterday, social transformation committee member Joe Phaahla said this was in the spirit of preserving and promoting cultural heritage.
The Department of Basic Education had given assurance that this will be implemented in the next two years, said Phaahla, who is also deputy minister of arts and culture.
"The policy is already far advanced, by 2014 we will be able to implement it.
"If for example a school is in the Free State, then it will automatically teach SeSotho as compulsory, in KwaZulu-Natal it will be isiZulu," he said.
Phaahla said this would also avert the closure of African languages departments at various tertiary institutions.
The policy comes amidst results of the 2011 census which showed a decline in six of the 11 official languages. The ANC has continuously raised concern that African languages were undermined.
The ANC stopped short of making it compulsory to sing the national anthem each day before classes commenced.
It made a U-turn from a recommendation it made at its June policy conference to enforce this and resolved that it must only be promoted.
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