The state of the indigenous languages in Kroonstad secondary schools

Abstract

This study focuses on the extent to which the indigenous languages are used among Kroonstad secondary schools. This is prompted by the declaration of the South African constitution that the indigenous languages be declared official languages . This research therefore investigates whether these languages are used equitably by the students at schools and whether they have been included in the school curriculum. To achi eve this exercise interviews are conducted amonq secondary school children and their educators. Data is collected, arranqed and analyzed. It is then discovered that in Kroonstad only ~our indigenous lanquaqes are found, namely Sesotho, isi-Zulu, isi-Xhosa and Setswana. Of these languages only Sesotho is being used for communication purposes . The other lanquaqes are being used at home and amonq their speaker a only. A recommendations is therefore made that much attention shoul-d be given towards the development of the indigenous languages so that they could be used by a large variety o~ people. These languages should be developed to become the media of instructi on now that most people feel that they are as important as other official languages . A major task should be given to the government , the curriculum and language planners to develop the indigenous languages to a point where they would receive recognition of their status as official languages. For this to be attained, the indigenous languages should be included in all schools curriculum to be studied as subjects.