South African Sign Language (SASL) has officially been recognised as a home language in the curriculum as one of the examinable subjects for the National Senior Certificate.
On Friday Umalusi released a report of its research study on the inclusion of SASL in the curriculum as one of the examinable subjects for the National Senior Certificate. The aim of the study was to provide guidance to the quality assurer for SASL as home language with specific reference to school-based assessment and national examinations.
The scope of the study also encompassed understanding how deaf learners are assessed as well as the kind of resources and materials required for assessment‚ including identifying potential national moderators and evaluators.
“Today we can say to deaf learners that the system has fully embraced them‚ that their language is valued and respected‚ and that they now have the opportunity to learn and study and be tested through the medium of their home language.”
Umalusi takes care of one of the nation`s most treasured assets – the standards of general and further education and training. The Council is tasked with the development and management of a sub-framework of qualifications for general and further education and training and for the attendant quality assurance.
“It is a monumental step forward that SASL has now, for the very first time in South Africa, been officially recognised as a home language in our education system,” said the Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training, Umalusi, in a statement.
The aim of the study was to provide guidance to Umalusi in its role as the quality assurer for SASL-Home Language, with specific reference to school-based assessment and national examinations.
According to the Council, the scope of the study also encompassed understanding how Deaf learners are assessed, as well as the kind of resources and materials required for assessment, including identifying potential national moderators and evaluators.
“Deaf learners in South Africa no longer need to feel like foreigners in their own land, and at last they can exercise their rights to be taught and assessed in their own language,” said Umalusi.
“This may be a bigger step than many people realise‚ for in recognising SASL as a home language in our education system‚ the system is by implication recognising deaf culture as a fundamental part of South African culture.”
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