WCED Circular

Introduction

1.1

In 2003 there was an increase in the number of candidates who wrote the ABET level 4 examinations. Congratulations to all concerned for the improvement in the pass rate.

1.2

In accordance with the CASS policy of the province, candidates should be encouraged to enter for the examination only if they are ready for the assessment.

Examination

2.1

In 2004 the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) will again provide candidates with two opportunities to write national examinations. The first of these examinations will commence on 1 June 2004 and the second on 6 October 2004. Both will be monitored by the WCED, the national Department of Education and UMALUSI.

2.2

The learning area guidelines that accompanied Circular 0075/2002 will apply to both examinations.

2.3

Educators are advised to use these guidelines, the ABET chief markers' reports of 2003 and previous examination question papers when they prepare candidates for the examinations.

Continuous assessment

3.1

The ratio of examination: CASS will again be 50: 50 and centres are encouraged to develop their portfolios on a continuous basis.

3.2

The national office and UMALUSI expect provinces to implement a CASS system that indicates the competency of the candidates. The CASS guidelines for 2002 will be applicable to both June and September assessments.

3.3

The learner portfolio must contain a minimum of five items which must differ from one another and must be based on the learning area guidelines. The items may not only be tests.

3.4

The final mark for all the portfolio tasks must be recorded as a percentage (out of 100).

3.5

The final CASS marks and portfolios will be moderated by the EMDC curriculum advisors and verified by provincial and UMALUSI officials.

3.6

It is the responsibility of educators to give each candidate a CASS mark and of centre managers to ensure that each candidate at the community learning centre has a CASS portfolio for each learning area.

3.7

Centre managers must also ensure that educators maintain a record of all their assessments in their educator portfolios.

3.8

Educator portfolios must contain all the tasks and their assessment tools, and the marks and feedback provided to candidates.

General

4.1

Should you require support, please contact one of the following ABET curriculum advisors:

EMDC	ABET Curriculum Advisor	Telephone (work)
Breede River/ Overberg Metropole Central Metropole East Metropole North Metropole South South Cape/ Karoo West Coast/ Winelands	Mr Joaniel Pieterse Mr Moeain Arend Mr Stephen Lategan Ms Winnifred Taylor Ms Zukiswa Ntontela (acting) Mr Nigel Behardien (acting) Mr Dirk Henry (acting) Ms Lillian van Louw (acting)	023 348 4600 021 659 4344 021 900 7000 021 938 3000 021 370 2000 044 279 1681 023 415 2070 021 872 9288

4.2

For further support, Mr J Parbhoo may be contacted at 021-467 2572 or e-mail J Parbhoo at jparbhoo@pgwc.gov.za.

4.3

Refer to the website:
ABET Assessment (http://curriculum.wcape.school.za/site/19/page/view/59)
for the following information:

4.3.1

Reports on all past ABET national examinations

4.3.2

All the learning area guidelines for ABET level 4

4.3.3

Recommended assessment items for each learning area (developed by the provincial ABET curriculum team)

4.4

Please bring the contents of this circular to the attention of everybody concerned.

SIGNED: P.A. VINJEVOLD
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2004:02:27