DBE says Afrikaans former model C schools are starting to introduce English as medium of instruction

The Department of Basic Education says it's noticing a nationwide trend of Afrikaans former Model C schools introducing English as a medium of instruction.

But members of parliament's basic education committee have raised concerns about the focus on English and the lack of African languages being included in the language policies in most schools.

The department was briefing the committee on the status update on the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act (BELA) and the implementation of its regulations in relation to grade R submission.

Members also received an update on sections four and five, which relate to language policies and admissions policies.

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Deputy Director General for Delivery and Support Simone Geyer, told MPs that there is progress in terms of language policies in former Afrikaans schools.

"In language evolution, the data indicate a nationwide trend of Afrikaans medium schools introducing English instruction, which is a good thing to accommodate the movement of learners from different parts of the country."

The department said in terms of African languages, the integration into former model C schools is most prominent in KwaZulu-Natal.

It said overall, the number of schools engaged in introducing other languages is relatively low across all provinces.