Sign Language curriculum underway

“Plans are afoot to ensure that the rollout of the South African Sign Language in Gauteng runs smoothly and be delivered by adequately trained, competent and accredited teachers.”

The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) said that this development would reaffirm SA Sign Language as the medium of instruction, learning and teaching at all schools for the Deaf.

NQF Level 4 certifications were handed over on October 7 to 115 educators from schools of the Deaf as well as officials who reportedly underwent training at the Matthew Goniwe Leadership School.

“The training was meant to ensure that educators at these schools are adequately qualified to provide quality education in the most appropriate language understood by Deaf learners and in environments which maximize academic and social development. The training incorporated disability awareness, understanding the linguistic features of South African Sign Language, Deaf Culture, educational techniques and materials to support Deaf learners.”

Previously educators who received training in South African Sign Language had done so by means which were either self-initiated or through funding obtained through sponsorships by the schools.

“The training provided by the department is a way of recognising the importance of skilling educators in Schools for the Deaf in a structured manner that enables learners to access curriculum through the best possible means,” said Gauteng Education MEC Ms Barbara Creecy.

Educators in the foundation and intermediate phase were targeted in the department’s efforts to recognise that the majority of Deaf learners came from hearing families and for many of them, their first point of learning South African Sign Language was at a school for the Deaf.
“It is for this reason that we prioritised training for Foundation and Intermediate phase educators,” said Creecy.

The initial roll out is said to be the start of improving Deaf Education with the Education department committing to conduct regular audits to determine which educators in schools for the Deaf still required training and the types of improvements needed to be made in future training.
“We acknowledge that so much more must be done and that further skills development is a necessity in order for Deaf learners to reveal their full potential,” added Creecy.

Also adding that the Department remained committed to ensuring that all learners in Gauteng, irrespective of their special educational needs, will do well at school and leave educational institutions with the values, knowledge, skills and qualifications that will give them the best chance of success in adult life.