Issues in the making of South Africa's language in education policy

This article argues that, to be truly understood, South Africa's new Language in Education Policy (LiEP) must be examined in the context of both historical and recent developments. If provides this background discussion and focuses an the LiEP as it presently affects curricula, classroom practices, institutional restructuring, subject choices in South African schools, and the rights of South African parents and students. It also addresses the educational and extra-educational tensions associated with the LiEP, inhibiting factors impeding ifs implementation, initiatives and activities deserving of priority consideration, and models for effecting meaningful change in this policy area.