The Afrikaans Medium Decree

The Afrikaans Medium Decree The South African Minister of Bantu Education and Development, MC Botha, gave an announcement in 1974 that utilized Afrikaans as a mechanism of guidance in dark schools obligatory from Standard 5 onwards [from the most recent year of elementary school to the most recent year of high school]. The African Teachers Association (ATASA) propelled a crusade against the approach, however the specialists actualized it at any rate. Northern Transvaal RegionRegional Circular Bantu EducationNorthern Transvaal (No. 4)File 6.8.3. of 17.10.1974To: Circuit InspectorsPrincipals of Schools: With Std V classes and Secondary SchoolsMedium of Instruction Std V - Form V1. It has been concluded that for consistency English and Afrikaans will be utilized as media of guidance in our schools on a 50-50 premise as follows:2. Sexually transmitted disease V, Form I and II2.1. English medium: General Science, Practical Subjects (Homecraft-Needlework-Wood-and Metalwork-Art-Agricultural Science)2.2 Afrikaans medium: Mathematics, Arithmatic, Social Studies2.3 Mother Tongue: Religion Instruction, Music, Physical CultureThe recommended mechanism for these subject must be utilized as from January 1975.In 1976 the optional schools will keep utilizing a similar mode for these subjects.3. Structures III, IV and VAll schools which have not so far done so ought to present the 50-50 premise as from the earliest starting point of 1975. A simil ar medium must be utilized for the subjects identified with those referenced in section 2 and for their other options. ...Your co-activity in this issue will be appreciated.(Sgd.) J.G. ErasmusRegional Director of Bantu EducationN. Transvaal Region ... The Deputy Minister of Bantu Education, Punt Janson, stated: No, I have not counseled the African individuals on the language issue and Im not going to. An African may find that the large manager just spoke Afrikaans or just communicated in English. It would be to further his potential benefit to know the two dialects. Another authority was cited as saying: If understudies are disturbed, they should avoid school since participation isn't mandatory for Africans. The Department of Bantu Education said that on the grounds that the administration paid for dark training, it reserved the option to choose the language of guidance. Indeed, just white instruction was completely sponsored by the legislature. Dark guardians in Soweto paid R102 (a normal months compensation) a year to send two kids to class, needed to purchase reading material (which were sans given in white schools), and needed to contribute towards the expense of building schools.