Gwarube says proposed changes to history curriculum will be informed by public submissions

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has confirmed that proposed changes to the national school history curriculum will be directly informed by public submissions.

Gwarube emphasised that all feedback will be fully considered before the final document detailing the planned updates is formulated.

The public comment process is set to close this weekend, marking a significant step before the implementation of changes designed to make history more Afrocentric from Grade 4 through Grade 12.

READ: DBE’s proposal to lean on Afrocentricity could reshape history lessons

The Department of Basic Education clarified that the draft changes to the curriculum do not explicitly remove any existing topics from the subject. Instead, the department describes the move as a rebalancing of content.

This process is expected to reduce the current focus on standalone European historical case studies and teachings that are centred primarily around individual historical personalities. Furthermore, the department seeks to balance Eurocentric narratives regarding historical discoveries by teaching them within an appropriate African context.

Lukhanyo Vangqa, spokesperson for Minister Gwarube, reiterated the importance of civic engagement in this transition, noting that the Minister remains open to the views of the citizenry.

"Minister Siviwe Gwarube wishes to assure the public that all their comments and their substance will be fully considered, and the final history curriculum will be informed by public comments. She retains an open mind and is willing to be persuaded by public comments."

The Basic Education Committee noted that this process is not a new initiative but rather the continuation of a long-term project.

The curriculum overhaul began with the work of the History Ministerial Task Team (MTT), which was originally appointed in 2015 by the former Minister, Angie Motshekga.