Legislation

Republic of South Africa South African Schools Bill (1996)

The Bill provides for the following matters:

The right of learners to receive education in the official language or languages of choice, and the duty of the State in giving effect to this right are provided for. Governing bodies may determine language policy for their schools subject to the Bill and any applicable provincial law provided that no racial discrimination is practiced.

Language policy of public schools

6.

(1) A learner has the right to receive education in the official language or languages of his or her choice at a public school where that education is reasonably practicable, and in order to enable learners to exercise this right, the State must consider all reasonable educational alternatives, including single medium institutions, taking into account-

- equity;

- practicability; and

- the need to redress the results of past racially discriminatory law and practice.

(2) A recognized sign language has the status of an official language for purposes of subsection (1).

(3) The governing body of a public school may determine the language policy of the school subject to the Constitution, this Act and any applicable provincial law.

(4) No form of racial discrimination may be practiced in implementing policy determined under subsection (3).

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