| A. |
BACKGROUND
The staff establishments for public ordinary schools were determined in terms of the national Revised Post Distribution Model (RPDM) according to which posts are distributed to educational institutions. (The RPDM, promulgated on 15 November 2002, was attached as Annexure A to Circular 0143/2002, dated 15 November 2002). This means that the same principles and measures that were used to determine the staff establishments for 2003 were used for 2004.
As prescribed by legislation, the Western Cape Education Department duly consulted the employee parties to the Provincial Education Labour Relations Council (PELRC) in the Western Cape as well as the recognised school governing body associations on the staff establishments of public ordinary schools. |
| B. |
MEASURES (BROAD PRINCIPLES)
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| 1. |
The provision of posts to ‘Finishing Schools’ will be dealt with on an ad hoc basis until further notice. |
| 2. |
In terms of the measures of the RDPM, public ordinary schools must be issued with their staff establishments annually (before the end of September of each year). This means that all staff establishments issued to public ordinary schools, as well as all additional post level 1 posts created during 2003 on an ad hoc basis as a result of increased learner enrolment or the curriculum needs of an institution, will expire at the end of 2003. |
| 3. |
The ad hoc posts (over and above the posts reflected in the fixed establishment of a school) granted to schools at the end of 2002 for utilisation in 2003 to ensure that certain schools have a learner: educator dispensation of 33:1 (secondary schools) or 39:1 (primary schools) will also expire at the end of 2003. |
| 4. |
Schools will be informed in a separate letter of their position with regard to the ad hoc posts for 2004. |
| 5. |
The post structure and descriptions indicated in Collective Agreement 4/2003 of the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) are applicable to the staff establishments. Please see Circular 0161/2003, dated 25 July 2003 in this regard. Heads of institutions must take cognisance of the fact that the new post and salary structure (Collective Agreement 4/2003) provides for posts of Education Specialist, formerly known as Head of Department (HOD). These posts of Education Specialist are located in the career paths of “Teaching and Learning” and “Management”. The WCED is at present busy formulating norms and criteria for the utilisation of the posts and consequently it has been decided that the number of posts of Education Specialist will not be divided into “Teaching and Learning” and “Management”. These posts will, for the interim, be classified as Education Specialist and will be indicated as such on the new staff establishments until such time that the WCED can give clear guidelines pertaining to the utilisation of the posts. |
| 6. |
The attention is drawn to the fact that posts of principal, except posts of principal P1 which are at post level 2, have been placed on post level 4 (four) in terms of Collective Agreement 4/2003 of the ELRC. The grading norms in respect of posts of principals have not yet been concluded in the ELRC and, consequently, schools must retain their 2003 gradings until further notice. |
| C. |
ESTABLISHMENTS FOR 2004 |
| 1. |
INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF POSTS |
| 1.1 |
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In cases where there have been an increase in the number of posts, newly created posts may be filled in the following ways: |
| 1.1.1 |
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By way of matching and placement of excess staff (In this regard it must be emphasised that the matching and placement of excess educators is a continuous process which will have preference over the advertising of vacancies.) |
| 1.1.2 |
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Through advertisement in the Vacancy List with the view to the permanent filling thereof (This means that post level 1 and promotion posts must be advertised at the earliest opportunity.) |
| 1.1.3 |
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On a contract basis or in an acting capacity in terms of existing policy measures |
| 1.2 |
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For the sake of completeness, it must be mentioned that the policy measure according to which contract appointments are made for a period of no more than six months, remains in place.
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| 2. |
DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF POSTS |
| 2.1 |
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In a case where there has been a decrease in the number of posts (that means that a post or posts have been abolished), the educational institution may fill posts only to the limit indicated on the staff establishment. It therefore follows that an educational institution may not fill more posts than are provided for in the establishment. |
| 2.2 |
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Should there be more permanently appointed educators than the number of posts provided for in the establishment, then the educational institution cannot make any further appointments on a permanent or contract basis. |
| 2.3 |
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Heads of institutions are also reminded that the WCED does not allocate substitutes to an institution where there are more permanently appointed educators than posts. |
| 2.4 |
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Permanently appointed educators are to be declared in excess in terms of Collective Agreement 2/2003 of the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC). |
| 3. |
FILLING OF ADVERTISED POSTS |
| 3.1 |
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All posts that have already been advertised in a Departmental Vacancy List may be filled permanently, provided that the post appears on the 2004 staff establishment. |
| 3.2 |
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Should an advertised post not appear on the 2004 staff establishment, then the institution will not be entitled to that post. This post will be regarded as erroneously advertised. |
| 3.3 |
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The measure, whereby advertised posts may be filled only if they do not create additional educators in excess, remains in place. |
| 3.4 |
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Where heads of institutions and governing bodies are of the opinion that the post description of the advertised post no longer meets the curriculum needs of the institution, they may request the WCED to regard the post as erroneously advertised. Such a request must be accompanied by a detailed explanation. |
| 4.1 |
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Educators who have been declared in excess based on previous establishments determined by previous processes, and who are still in excess, retain their “in excess” status. These educators are dealt with in terms of prevailing collective agreements of the ELRC. |
| 4.2 |
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These excess educators (paragraph 4.1 above) can be absorbed in vacancies on the new staff establishment by way of matching and placement (see paragraph C1.1.1). |
| 4.3 |
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As indicated in paragraph C2.2 of this circular, permanently appointed educators are to be declared in excess in terms of Collective Agreement 2/2003 of the ELRC. |
| D. |
ENQUIRIES
Enquiries with regard to this circular (measures etc.) must be addressed to circuit managers, or the Directorate: Personnel Management (Educators) (Messrs H. Wyngaard (021 467 2499 or M. Apollis (021 467 2488)). |
| E. |
GENERAL
The contents of this circular must be brought to the attention of all staff and governing bodies. |
Your co-operation is highly appreciated.
SIGNED: R.B. SWARTZ
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2003:09:15
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