THIRD LANGUAGE AND OATH FOR PUPILS
Charles Phahlane and Robert Brand

May 09 2000

Pupils will be expected to stand up in school assembly and recite a weekly patriotic oath of allegiance, according to a recommendation handed this week to Education Minister Kader Asmal.

The proposed pledge, with the singing of the national anthem and a call for fluency in a third language, is designed to further national reconciliation and integration of schools.

The report, which identifies common value systems for schools, was compiled by a working group chaired by University of Cape Town academic Professor Wilmot James.

It is likely to be taken seriously by the Government.

Professor Asmal said: "This report lays an important basis for us to begin to discern those values that we require our educational system to promote, in order to create a truly inclusive nation. The recommendations outlined in this report are intended to provide the Ministry of Education with an opportunity to open up a national dialogue on this matter."

The report identifies six values that should be taught in schools as part of integration: equity, tolerance, multilingualism, openness, accountability, and social honour.

It also recommends the teaching of a "civic history" of the democratic South Africa.

Commenting on the report on Tuesday, James said: "We are not trying to tell people what to do, but a broader SA should have pride in what it has achieved - there has to be identification with national symbols. Part of that concept of identifying with the broader values of the South African society is the learning and singing of the national anthem and the display of the national flag."

The report says pupils should leave the school system with a knowledge of three languages. Although pupils should be taught in their mother tongue, they should also acquire an African language.

"We recommend that pupils learn in a language they are most comfortable in, which is already Education Department policy, and in addition that they acquire an African language. We are leaving it to the provinces to decide which (African) language is appropriate," James said.

Historically the onus had been on Africans to master English and Afrikaans, the report said. There had been little pressure on English and Afrikaans people to learn an African language.

"In order to be a good South African citizen, one needs to be at least bilingual, but preferably trilingual."

Therefore, it would not be unreasonable to expect English and Afrikaans people to master at least one African language.

The group also proposed that preference be given in the public sector to employees who were at least trilingual.

Children should also be taught the national anthem and should recite a "vow of allegiance" to the country on a weekly basis.

The school should be an environment for "informed and thinking" citizens.

The report will be open to comment from the public before the Government draws up policies.

Kids' Oath of Allegiance

I promise to be loyal to my country, South Africa, and do my best to promote its welfare and the well-being of its citizens. I promise to respect all of my fellow citizens and all of our various traditions. Let us work for peace, friendship and reconciliation and heal the scars left by past conflicts, and let us build a common destiny together.