SADTU notes the publishing of the Draft new History Curriculum for Grades 4–12 for public comment.
The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) notes the release of the draft History curriculum for Grades 4 to 12 for public comment as a progressive and timely intervention in strengthening the education system.
SADTU has long advocated for the decolonisation of education and the History curriculum. For far too long, History in South Africa has been taught from a colonial, Eurocentric perspective while ignoring the African perspective. We hope the draft History curriculum is a step towards addressing this imbalance.
SADTU has not only called for a history curriculum with an African perspective but has also advocated for the subject to be made compulsory in schools. This is to foster a national identity, social cohesion, encourage the understanding of diverse cultures and societies and to help learners understand and appreciate the world around them and to provide a sense of identity, empathy, and critical thinking.
SADTU will submit its comments on the draft and will ensure that the final curriculum is responsive, balanced, and reflective of the aspirations of South Africans.
SADTU remains committed to collaborating with all stakeholders to advance quality public education and to ensure that History education contributes to building a just, equitable, and united South Africa.
ISSUED BY: SADTU Secretariat