REUTERS
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Pupils entering grades 1 and 2 next year can expect longer school days, with Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga increasing class time by 30 minutes.
This is meant to accommodate the teaching of English and other second languages that become the languages of instruction from Grade 3.
Education Department spokesman Panyaza Lesufi said schools which already taught English in the two grades would not be affected by the move.
“Currently the majority of schools don’t have English as an additional language, and the (academic) performance of pupils declines in Grade 3,” he said.
“English is the language of instruction (from Grade 3), so if a pupil cannot understand it, learning will be difficult.”
Edwina Grossi, founder of Embury College Primary and High School and the Embury Institute for Teacher Education, welcomed the initiative, which she said had been in place at Embury Primary for many years.
“I agree with the department 100 percent,” she said.
“A child learns a second language sooner when young. They need to hear the second language spoken from a young age.
“The sooner you introduce it the better.”
Basil Manuel, the deputy president of the National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of SA, said the move was necessary.
He urged parents not to panic, saying 30 minutes was not a dramatic increase.
He added that it was essential for children to master English, which was the first additional language for most children.
Allen Thompson, the deputy president of the National Teachers Union (Natu), said the union was still to receive the framework of how the additional time would benefit pupils. He said the move would change teachers’ conditions of employment and that they should be paid for the extra time in the classroom.
“Natu will support any initiative meant to improve the education system, but it must go hand in glove with compensation,” he said.
However, Lesufi said the affected teachers would not get additional compensation because teachers were expected to work until 3pm. – The Mercury
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Longer school day for Grade 1 and 2