NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION 1799
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 16/10/09
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 22-2009)
Mr J H van der Merwe (IFP) to ask the Minister of Higher Education:
1. Whether remedial action will be taken with regard to Unisaâs policy of
only (a) issuing degree and diploma certificates in English and (b)
hosting graduation ceremonies in English; if not, why not, in each
case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case;
2. Whether he will make a statement on the matter?
NW2300E
REPLY:
1. Unisa recognizes that the country has eleven official languages, and
English is but one of them. However, fiscal constraints militate
against the University hosting graduation ceremonies in all eleven
languages and for practical and operational purposes, Unisa graduation
ceremonies are hosted in English. For internal purposes, Unisa has a
Language Policy that we, believe, will eventually lead to practical
multi-lingualism. As a matter of interest, Unisa is in the process of
establishing an Academy of African Languages and Science, the aim
being to give practical effect to the use of languages other than
English and Afrikaans, to be used as languages of science.
However, with specific reference to the award for doctoral degrees,
where the thesis has been submitted in Afrikaans and the student
indicates a preference for Afrikaans, the citation which accompanies
the award of the degree, is read by the supervisor in Afrikaans during
the graduation ceremony. (To date, Unisa has not had any doctoral
thesis submitted in languages other than English and Afrikaans). In
the event any student presents in Afrikaans, the awards is also
presented in Afrikaans (This has not happened with other languages).
This is easily and usually the case, where such students have received
their degrees with distinction.
In addition, Unisa will prepare and award a graduation certificate in
any of the eleven languages if a request for same were made by any of
the graduation students. Again, however, to date, Unisa has not
received a request of such a nature.
2. The issue of the language used on certificates and at graduation
ceremonies is part of the wider debate on language policy at higher
education institutions. The Department of Education has published
policy to give effect to the provisions of the Constitution. The
Language in Education Policy (1997) and the Language Policy for Higher
Education (2002) were designed to promote multilingualism in the
education sector.
Their aim is to ensure that all South African languages are "developed
to their full capacity while at the same time ensuring that the
existing languages of instruction (English and Afrikaans) do not serve
as a barrier to access and success." Amongst other matters receiving
my attention, close monitoring of the implementation of the above
forms part of the work of the Department.
Compiler: Ms Kirti Menon
Ext: 5284
DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL: HE
DIRECTOR GENERAL: HET
STATUS: APPROVED
DATE:
QUESTION 1799 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED
DR BE NZIMANDE, MP
MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING
STATUS: APPROVED
DATE: