The future of history as a subject in South African schools is a very contentious topic, especially after the announcement by Minister Angie Motshekga that the history curriculum at school level needs a major overhaul.

This follows after a ministerial task team proposed that history should be made compulsory in the final three years of high school as from 2023.

On 12 September 2018, two experts from the North-West University (NWU) – Prof Elize van Eeden, a senior researcher and acting deputy director of the School of Social Sciences, and Prof Anton van Vollenhoven, an extraordinary professor in History – will share their views on the findings and impact of the ministerial task team at a national symposium in Pretoria.

Prof Van Eeden has been quoted saying that history is not a nation-building discipline and that the proposed intervention will face steep challenges. These challenges include the availability of well-trained history teachers and much needed consultation with historians and educational experts. Her biggest concern is that history should not be ideologised for political gain.

The symposium – hosted by the SA Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns and the FAK (Federasie van Afrikaanse Kultuurvereniginge) – will see multidisciplinary experts from several institutions of higher learning as well as representatives from several interest groups discuss the following topics:

• The 2015-2018 ministerial task team for history: a critical review of its mandate and report findings – Prof Elize van Eeden, NWU.
• Problems with regard to a balanced school curriculum – Prof Fransjohan Pretorius, University of Pretoria.
• Archaeology as part of a future curriculum: an opportunity or a risk? – Prof Anton van Vollenhoven, NWU.
• The nature of history at schools – Mr Daan Potgieter, Afrikaanse Onderwysnetwerk.