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South Africa's education minister emphasizes politically neutral history curriculum

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube stated that South Africa's draft school history curriculum must not exclude key events or perspectives on political grounds. Her comments come as the deadline for public submissions on the proposed Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statements Caps for Grades 4 to 12 approaches on April 19. Gwarube stressed that the draft is not final and should be shaped by broad public input, aiming for a curriculum that equips learners to think critically about the past without imposing any particular ideology. The review of the history curriculum began in 2019, with nationwide consultations in 2023 and 2024. The proposed curriculum aims to shift towards inquiry-based learning, focusing on evidence, interpretation, and critical engagement, and includes diverse sources like archaeology and oral history to broaden evidentiary bases and recover marginalized perspectives. Gwarube urged stakeholders to engage directly with the text and make substantive submissions, emphasizing the importance of robust and responsible engagement for reconciliation and nation-building.