Transforming education through mother tongue language as a language of instruction in South Africa

The right to receive education in an official language of one's choice is enshrined in section 29(2) of the Constitution. However, the South African education system has not offered sustained learning as well as equal opportunities for most of the population in more than one language. Although language in education determines the language of learning and teaching, language in education remains contentious in South Africa. jurisprudence supports the idea that schools should be inclusive in language policies. The National Department of Basic Education policy fails to address the need to ensure the sustained use of mother tongue language by prompting a switch to English in grade 4. This article explores how the learning and teaching in schools could potentially perpetuate discrimination in accessing schools, against the backdrop of constitutional rights and values, such as equality and non-discrimination.