1. The new Further Education and Training (FET) curriculum will be introduced in Grade 10 in 2006 and the first FET certificates will be issued in 2008.
2. Planning for the implementation of many proposed new subjects will have to be done at Head Office (Western Cape Education Department (WCED)) and EMDC levels so that effective professional support can be given to schools and educators.
3. In addition the WCED will have to analyse schools' expressions of intent as regards subject choices in order to look at the effect that these choices may have on the availability and distribution of subject offerings per circuit, per EMDC and across the province.
4. The WCED fully realises that schools cannot be asked to make a final decision at this stage, but, to enable this macro-planning to commence as soon as possible, heads of all educational institutions in the Western Cape are requested to indicate on the attached form the subjects that they are currently considering offering in Grade 10 in 2006. The completed form must be submitted to the Director: Curriculum Development, Attention: Ms U Heydenrych, Western Cape Education Department, Private Bag X9114, Cape Town, 8000 by no later than 15 November 2003.
5. Heads of institutions are requested to estimate the total number of educators required for Grades 10 - 12 in each of the subjects selected, and to indicate how many educators currently on the staff are qualified to teach each subject and how many currently on the staff are at present studying for an appropriate qualification in each subject.
6. Heads of institutions are advised to discuss all the subjects on offer with their staff and governing bodies, and to study the requirements of some of the more specialized subjects before making decisions. It should also be borne in mind that some subjects have additional cost implications in terms of equipment and facilities. Decisions should be based on facilities and equipment at present available in the school or on what will be available to the school based on its projected budget.
7. Further information on the outlines and requirements of the subjects is available in Circular 0176/2003 and in the WCED "Subject Infopacks" which accompanied the circular, as well as in the draft national subject curriculum documents of October 2002. Please note that the "Subject Infopacks" give comprehensive requirements for each subject - for the minimum requirements, please contact your curriculum advisor.
8. Schools must consider local conditions, and local and national career options in their subject choices.
9. The WCED is confident that there will be a smooth and orderly transition to the new curriculum in the FET band in January 2006.


SIGNED: P.A. VINJEVOLD
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2003:10:08

Form: Preliminary proposal regarding fet subjects to be offered  (size: 22 KB)