Basic Education Minister Angie
Motshekga wants schools that do not teach African languages to introduce an indigenous subject this year as part of a social cohesion programme.
Motshekga said the programme has been piloted in Grades 1 and 2 in 264 schools, between 2014 and 2015 countrywide. It was extended to 842 other schools last year.
However, the Western Cape and Mpumalanga were still lagging behind.
Motshekga also said the Council of Education Ministers was committed to ensuring the universal introduction of African languages in Grade 1.
She added that implementing the programme has had a fair share of challenges, including the provision of African language teachers.