The DBE convened a pivotal Mother Tongue-based Bilingual Education (MTbBE) versioning and terminology standardisation workshop at the Kopanong Hotel, Benoni, from 10 to 25 July 2025. This initiative marked a critical step in preparing Grade 5 Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Technology (MST) materials for the 2026 school year, ensuring Learning and Teaching Support Material (LTSM) are pedagogically sound, linguistically accessible and culturally responsive across all official South African languages.
The workshop brought together subject advisors from all nine provinces, MST Chief Education Specialists and the Transformation Programmes and National Languages Unit in a collaborative drive to strengthen learning materials through rigorous versioning, terminology standardisation, refinement, layout and design across all official South African languages for MST Grade 5, 2026 Term 1 to 4 MTbBE Implementation at 70% Mother Tongue and 30% English. This work follows closely on the heels of the Grade 4 National Assessment Design Workshop that was held from 1 to 9 July 2025, highlighting the tireless dedication and long hours committed by the core team of specialists from all nine provinces.
Mr Xhanti Mhlubulwana, Chief Director for Special Projects and Technical Lead, Transformation Programmes and National Languages Unit at the DBE, noted that, “the MTbBE initiative and implementation underway, is part of a broader sector language transformation strategy to enhance foundational learning by ensuring that quality educational resources are available in learners’ home languages. This work goes beyond content translation into all official South African languages, it involves careful adaptation and pedagogical alignment to the developmental stage of Grade 5 learners, particularly in MST subjects where precision and conceptual clarity are critical.”
The complex process included the standardisation of subject-specific terminology, ensuring, for example, that key concepts like fractions or evaporation retain their scientific accuracy whilst being expressed in familiar linguistic forms. Teams also meticulously reviewed workbook layouts and worksheets from Term 1 to Term 4 to ensure alignment with Annual Teaching Plans (ATPs), and usability in the classroom. Chief Education Specialists Ms Cebisa Mtumtum and Mr Siyalo Qanya played a vital role in overseeing the technical coordination and quality assurance of the materials for Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Technology respectively. Their leadership ensured consistency across provinces and maintained a strong balance between linguistic integrity in the various official languages and subject-specific matter accuracy.
The success of this endeavour was made possible through the strategic funding of approximately R3.5 million, made available through the DBE’s Transformation Programmes and National Language Unit. The visionary leadership of DDG Dr Naledi Mbude-Mehana in advancing the Language Transformation agenda was instrumental in enabling this milestone achievement.
Teachers and subject advisors involved in the process have already reported noticeable improvements in learner engagement, particularly amongst those transitioning from the Foundation Phase into the Intermediate Phase. Learners are demonstrating increased confidence and comprehension when engaging with content presented in their home languages. This initiative stands as a testament to the DBE’s commitment to inclusive, high-quality education. By affirming the value of every child’s language and identity, the Department is ensuring that no learner is left behind, and that all children, regardless of language background, are equipped with tools that nurture understanding, confidence and academic success.