FORUM4SA CALLS FOR URGENT INVESTIGATION INTO GRADE 10 GEOGRAPHY EXAMINATION QUESTION ON XENOPHOBIA

The Grade 10 Geography question paper

By Tebogo Mashilompane
National Leader, Forum4SA

Forum for South Africa (FORUM4SA) has raised serious concerns following the circulation of a Grade 10 Geography examination paper on social media containing a question that asks learners to explain why many South Africans have hatred towards foreign nationals.

The examination extract specifically refers to a Zimbabwean national, John, who reportedly fled Zimbabwe seeking sanctuary in South Africa after fearing for his life.

FORUM4SA questions the educational approach and framing of this question. Who has established that South Africans, as a population, hate foreign nationals? On what evidence is such a generalisation being presented to Grade 10 learners as an educational question?

South Africa is a diverse country, and its people cannot collectively be labelled xenophobic.

While xenophobic incidents and violence against foreign nationals have occurred and must be condemned, these incidents should not be used to create a generalised picture of South African society.

Education must develop critical thinking, promote social cohesion, respect for human dignity and an understanding of different communities.

It must not encourage stereotypes or present unverified generalisations as established facts.

FORUM4SA is particularly concerned that this approach could undermine the integrity of our education system and contribute to misconceptions about South Africans and their relationship with foreign nationals.

We also question whether the framing of the question reflects an appropriate and balanced approach to teaching Geography.

We therefore call on the Department of Basic Education and the Minister of Basic Education to urgently:

1. Investigate the authenticity and origin of the examination paper.

2. Establish which province issued the question paper and identify the relevant school or examination authority.

3. Identify the examiner who set the question and the moderator responsible for approving it.

4. Determine whether the question complies with the prescribed curriculum, examination standards and educational guidelines.

5. Provide clarity on the evidence and educational basis for framing the question in this manner.

FORUM4SA will not accept the presentation of broad and unsubstantiated generalisations about South Africans as educational facts.

Our children deserve an education system that teaches them to question, analyse and understand society objectively.

If the investigation establishes that the question was improperly framed, approved or administered, FORUM4SA will consider appropriate legal steps to protect the integrity of our education system and the interests of learners.

Our position is clear: South Africans must not be collectively portrayed as people who hate foreign nationals.

Education must teach facts, not stereotypes.

The integrity of our children’s education must never be compromised.