a) The use of Mother Tongue as a Language of Teaching and Learning (LoLT) in the Intermediate phase is currently still in a pilot phase. The Eastern Cape Education Department initiated a Mother Tongue Based Bilingual Education pilot, wherein 81 schools in Cofimvaba district are using IsiXhosa as a LoLT for Grades 4-7. Learners in these schools are taught Mathematics, Natural Science and Technology in their home language, IsiXhosa.
b) No, it will not be compulsory for all learners to be taught in their mother tongue, as this will be against the provisions of the Constitution. Section 29(2) of the SA Constitution makes provision for everyone “to receive education in the official language or languages of their choice in public educational institutions where that education is reasonably practicable.”
The Language in Education Policy, which is premised on the imperatives of the Constitution, provides for learners to learn through any of the eleven official languages. Learners and schools have an option to select a language of their choice for the purpose of learning and teaching.
Furthermore, looking into the linguistic diversity of our country, it is highly impossible to enforce mother tongue education for all learners, particularly those in cosmopolitan schools with many languages spoken in one school.
c) No, the Department of Basic Education has not yet undertaken any study to determine the demand for mother tongue education for all official languages. However, the DBE subscribes to research findings that show that learners learn best through their home languages. Hence, the DBE supports and encourages learners to learn through their home languages wherever possible.