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Why our Education system needs transformation?
Firstly, we need to admit that African languages like isiXhosa are dying in front of our eyes, no doubt. This is because not much is done to keep protect them. Most blacks go to coloured and white schools and this is an attractive trend. There is very little or no African languages in the schools we go to.
In the subjects we are taught, English is the medium of instruction and most of us as blacks do not have good English background, particularly those from rural areas. In 1976, the fallen heroes and heroines who fought that we do not be instructed in Afrikaans but English instead. So, if Afrikaans students have the advantage of being taught the subjects in Afrikaans, why is it that there is no provision that at least there be an option that willing black pupil be taught in their home language just as Afrikaans speaking pupil do? I am raising this because I see a gap that needs to be filled. Afrikaans students can excel very easily as they are taught in their home language and this helps them to grasp concepts with very little complications. Now, if the same thinking of introducing home languages to black students as an option can be applied, then much greater performance can be accomplished. Not only that, but a more transformed and flexible education system for all races can be somewhat accomplished.
In the tertiary institutions we go to, it is mostly whites that are easily accepted and UCT (University of Cape Town) is one perfect example. Stellenbosch is one ideal example of an institution that having a language of learning other than English can work and it also helps keep Afrikaans always relevant as a result. In actual fact, Afrikaans students don't only have a University with mostly Afrikaans employed speaking lectures but a secured and developing language because of the care for the culture around the language.
Today we have a bigger scoop of Afrikaans media from Die Burger, Die Son, Huis Genoot and many more. One struggles to remember or even list black media, only Bona and what else?...... This is a testimony of the dying indigenous languages. Perhaps if we had a bit more protection in the decay of our African languages today, we can thank ourselves tomorrow.
