Illustration in exam unnecessary

AfriForum will submit a complaint to the Department of Basic Education following an upsetting illustration in one of the questions in the departmental Gr 9 Geography examination paper today.

A teacher who chooses to remain anonymous notified AfriForum about the sketch that illustrates a fat white man being fed by a skinny black man, who can also be perceived as a slave. The question in connection with the illustration is: Which of these two men has a higher life expectancy?

"AfriForum finds it upsetting that the question was illustrated in such a manner, even in the case of satire. Why is it necessary to distinguish between colour and class to determine a person's life expectancy? It is discriminating and uncalled for," says Carien Bloem, Head of Education Campaigns for AfriForum.

AfriForum insists on an explanation as to why such an illustration was allowed in a departmental exam in the first place. We would also like to know what Minister Angie Motshekga's view is on this.

 "We will never reach a point of equality if even learners on school level are exposed to this type of propaganda," Bloem states.

Statement issued by Carien Bloem, Head: Education Campaigns, AfriForum, November 27 2014

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