ACCESSIBLE, INCLUSIVE EDUCATION FOR ALL.
The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa states: “everyone has the right to receive education in the official language or languages of their choice in public educational institutions where that education is reasonably practicable.” This is a petition for the support of full parallel-medium as language of instruction and in essence to ensure that all students are able to achieve academic success in a language of their choice at Stellenbosch University. This petition adopts the aim of parallel-medium, meaning all classes be made available in English and Afrikaans, as well as significant investment in the development of isiXhosa and other South African languages as academic languages so that they can also become mediums of instruction.
The goal of the petition is to gather maximum amount of signatures BEFORE Sunday 29 November 2015 at 17:00 from Stellenbosch University students and staff to convince Stellenbosch University management to finally decide on a policy which will open the doors of learning for all students at Stellenbosch University on 30 November 2015.
This petition also acknowledges that the implementation of parallel-medium can be regarded by some as an expensive investment. However, according to recent documents by Stellenbosch University management the implementation of parallel-medium is estimated at R 162 million per annum. To bring this into context with Stellenbosch University's budget: Every year an annual report is compiled in which the university's financial growth and its allocations of funds are specified. These specified funds are grouped into restricted funds and unrestricted funds which are at the disposal if council wishes to make specific strategies available such as bursaries etc. According to the Annual Report 2014, on page 94, the total unrestricted funds as explained above is at a total value of R 430 199 000. The total funds for Education and General which include restricted funds is valued at R 1 486 931 000. Therefore, even without the restricted funds there is still money available to accommodate full parallel-medium at Stellenbosch University. The council of Stellenbosch University can ensure that parallel-medium at Stellenbosch becomes a reality if they prioritize this project and put the needs of the students first.
Sign and share this petition to ensure that everyone at Stellenbosch University can acquire an education without being excluded!
End note: If any of the above documents wish to be viewed, please comment and admin will send you information.
Updates
November 17, 2015
The feedback I have received from students this week highlights the deep anxiety surrounding the current language policies at the university. I have spent these days meeting with various representatives to ensure our call for multilingual academic access is clearly understood by those in positions of authority. The silence from management remains persistent but we will continue to press for a framework that respects the rights of every student.
November 17, 2015
Reaching this current level of support confirms how deeply the question of language and inclusion resonates across our campus. It is heartening to see this many people acknowledge that true academic equity requires us to rethink our path forward.
Reached 100 supporters
November 17, 2015
41 Comments
Ek staan parallel-medium voor, maar dit mag nooit ten koste van Afrikaans wees nie, veral nie by Maties nie. Die Weskaap se moedertaalsprekers onder wit en bruin is hoofsaaklik Afrikaans.
Ek is 'n trotse Suid-Afrikaner en glo in moedertaalonderrig op universiteite. Laat demokrasie seevier.
May both Afrikaans and English enjoy the same status in Stellenbosch so that mother tongue education can be used to all our benefit.
Asseblief moenie my taal wegneem nie. Dis 'n pragtige, akademiese taal wat geskik is vir enige vak. Daar is geen rede hoekom dit nie kan voortbestaan in hierdie wêreld waar daar daagliks tale uitsterf nie.
As a Namibian I feel Afrikaans extends the borders of South Africa. I want my younger sisters to be given the option to study in a language of their choice. Be it English or Afrikaans. (They are currently schooling in Afrikaans)
Ek sal veg vir my taal!
The University of Stellenbosch should include both Afrikaans and English speaking students. Accommodate both languages.
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ACCESSIBLE, INCLUSIVE EDUCATION FOR ALL.
The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa states: “everyone has the right to receive education in the official language or languages of their choice in public educational institutions where that education is reasonably practicable.” This is a petition for the support of full parallel-medium as language of instruction and in essence to ensure that all students are able to achieve academic success in a language of their choice at Stellenbosch University. This petition adopts the aim of parallel-medium, meaning all classes be made available in English and Afrikaans, as well as significant investment in the development of isiXhosa and other South African languages as academic languages so that they can also become mediums of instruction.
The goal of the petition is to gather maximum amount of signatures BEFORE Sunday 29 November 2015 at 17:00 from Stellenbosch University students and staff to convince Stellenbosch University management to finally decide on a policy which will open the doors of learning for all students at Stellenbosch University on 30 November 2015.
This petition also acknowledges that the implementation of parallel-medium can be regarded by some as an expensive investment. However, according to recent documents by Stellenbosch University management the implementation of parallel-medium is estimated at R 162 million per annum. To bring this into context with Stellenbosch University's budget: Every year an annual report is compiled in which the university's financial growth and its allocations of funds are specified. These specified funds are grouped into restricted funds and unrestricted funds which are at the disposal if council wishes to make specific strategies available such as bursaries etc. According to the Annual Report 2014, on page 94, the total unrestricted funds as explained above is at a total value of R 430 199 000. The total funds for Education and General which include restricted funds is valued at R 1 486 931 000. Therefore, even without the restricted funds there is still money available to accommodate full parallel-medium at Stellenbosch University. The council of Stellenbosch University can ensure that parallel-medium at Stellenbosch becomes a reality if they prioritize this project and put the needs of the students first.
Sign and share this petition to ensure that everyone at Stellenbosch University can acquire an education without being excluded!
End note: If any of the above documents wish to be viewed, please comment and admin will send you information.
Updates
November 17, 2015
The feedback I have received from students this week highlights the deep anxiety surrounding the current language policies at the university. I have spent these days meeting with various representatives to ensure our call for multilingual academic access is clearly understood by those in positions of authority. The silence from management remains persistent but we will continue to press for a framework that respects the rights of every student.
November 17, 2015
Reaching this current level of support confirms how deeply the question of language and inclusion resonates across our campus. It is heartening to see this many people acknowledge that true academic equity requires us to rethink our path forward.
Reached 100 supporters
November 17, 2015
41 Comments
Let us support an S.A. that enshrine the constitutional right to mother tongue education at tertiary institutions, while ensuring access to non speakers of that language. It can be done
Ek staan parallel-medium voor, maar dit mag nooit ten koste van Afrikaans wees nie, veral nie by Maties nie. Die Weskaap se moedertaalsprekers onder wit en bruin is hoofsaaklik Afrikaans.
Ek is 'n trotse Suid-Afrikaner en glo in moedertaalonderrig op universiteite. Laat demokrasie seevier.
May both Afrikaans and English enjoy the same status in Stellenbosch so that mother tongue education can be used to all our benefit.
Asseblief moenie my taal wegneem nie. Dis 'n pragtige, akademiese taal wat geskik is vir enige vak. Daar is geen rede hoekom dit nie kan voortbestaan in hierdie wêreld waar daar daagliks tale uitsterf nie.
As a Namibian I feel Afrikaans extends the borders of South Africa. I want my younger sisters to be given the option to study in a language of their choice. Be it English or Afrikaans. (They are currently schooling in Afrikaans)
Ek sal veg vir my taal!
The University of Stellenbosch should include both Afrikaans and English speaking students. Accommodate both languages.
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Let us support an S.A. that enshrine the constitutional right to mother tongue education at tertiary institutions, while ensuring access to non speakers of that language. It can be done