Voices in the Classroom: Why the Day of the African Child Matters
Imagine walking into school and discovering that half your lessons are taught in a language you do not know well. It could be difficult to follow the lessons or show what you know. In 1976, a government language policy made this a real challenge for many Black South African students.
Under apartheid, the government enforced racial segregation, giving white citizens greater political power, resources, and superior schools while intentionally underfunding education for Black youth. In 1974, the apartheid government reaffirmed a policy requiring Afrikaans and English to be used equally as languages of instruction in Black secondary schools. In practice, many pupils had to study some subjects in Afrikaans. Many students were more familiar with African languages such as isiZulu, Setswana, and isiXhosa, and schools also taught English. Students and teachers objected when they were required to learn or teach subjects in a language they did not know well. Some students regarded Afrikaans as a language of oppression because the apartheid government imposed its use in schools.
- segregation:
- The practice of keeping different groups of people separated, especially by race.
- oppression:
- Prolonged cruel or unjust treatment and control by a ruling authority.
- township:
- A designated residential area in South Africa reserved for non-white residents under apartheid.
- demonstration:
- A public display of group feelings toward a cause, often through a march or rally.
- ammunition:
- Bullets and shells fired from guns and other weapons.
- continental:
- Belonging to or characteristic of an entire continent.
- thrive:
- To grow, develop well, and be successful and healthy.
One passage, many ways to practice
Reading-skill questions, word work and writing prompts — all built from this text.
Main Idea
Identify the central idea and explain how important details develop it.
Context Clues
Use clues in the passage to work out what words mean. A separate printable Vocabulary worksheet is also available.
Summarize
Select, organize, and restate the most important information without adding opinion.
Purpose
Analyze what the author aims to do and how choices serve audience and purpose.
Structure
Analyze how sections and organizational choices build the text's ideas or effects.
Fact & Opinion
Distinguish verifiable statements from judgments, beliefs, and preferences in context.
Vocabulary
Practice words from the passage with a printable worksheet.
Writing Prompts
Use the passage as a springboard for short written responses, from personal reflection to evidence-based arguments.
Fix the Sentence
Practice editing sentences drawn from this passage with a printable worksheet.
Ready to use this passage in class?
Start free with the Mixed worksheet and 3 PDF downloads each week. Focused skill sets depend on plan.
Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1Why did the author open the article with a hypothetical scenario about going to school?
- 2How did the 1974 government language policy directly affect the education of Black South African students?
You Might Also Like
About this explanatory article passage for 6th Grade
“Voices in the Classroom: Why the Day of the African Child Matters” is a explanatory article reading passage about Day of the African Child, written for 6th Grade. It takes about 4 minutes to read (547 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.