This circular is a follow-up to Circular 0222/2003 which was sent to schools in November 2003. The RNCS will be implemented in Grades 4 to 6 in 2005. Training courses for primary school management teams (SMTs) and Intermediate Phase teachers at public and independent schools will be offered during the July holiday in each EMDC. These courses are to prepare for the implementation of the RNCS in the Intermediate Phase in 2005.

The training of SMTs, teachers and officials for the implementation of the RNCS in the Intermediate Phase is a joint undertaking of the national Department of Education, provincial departments of education, higher education institutions, teacher unions and service providers. The provincial training programme entails the following:

• Training of the WCED Provincial Core Training Team (PCTT) by the National Core Training Team (NCTT): April - June 2004.

• Training of school management teams and Intermediate Phase teachers by the PCTT: from 1 to 20 July 2004.

• Training of officials and service providers by EMDC and Head Office personnel during 2004.

The school principal, and his or her management team, especially at this time of curriculum change, has a pivotal leadership role to fulfil in the management of curriculum with regard to learners, staff, parents and the community.

• An overview and understanding of the design features, principles and concepts of the RNCS

• Learning outcomes and assessment standards in learning areas

• The development of learning programmes

• Dealing with learning areas vs learning programmes and ways in which learning areas can and should be combined in the learning programmes in the Intermediate Phase

• Time allocation and timetabling to facilitate teaching

• Assessment requirements: progression and support issues

• Curriculum management in a school

• Administrative issues

• Selection and management of teaching and learning support material

• Development of networking and support mechanisms

• Responses to questions and concerns

• Learning outcomes and assessment standards in learning areas

• Assessment requirements: progression and support issues

• The development of learning programmes

• Dealing with learning areas vs learning programmes and ways in which learning areas can and should be combined in the learning programmes in the Intermediate Phase

• The development of a learning programme (plan for the phase), work schedule (plan for the grade for the year) and lesson plans by the teacher for his or her own use

• Classroom management

• Inclusive education

• Differentiation, including multigrade and multilingual classes

• Follow-up arrangements for networking and support after the workshop

• Response to questions and concerns

The teachers’ training course and the school management course will be offered separately at more than one venue in each EMDC. The training schedule for 2004 is as follows:

Each EMDC has an operational plan that will ensure that all principals and all teachers have an opportunity to attend training. For dates and venues, see Annexure A. The registration forms (Annexures B & C) should be sent to your EMDC promptly, as catering will be for registered participants only.

The WCED will reimburse transport costs to the nearest venue at Departmental rates for WCED employed participants. However, participants are requested, as far as possible, to travel together. Owing to limited funds, independent school teachers and SGB-appointed staff will have to claim from their schools.

Claims will be completed at the end of the course. In order to claim, participants will need to have their Persal numbers and the following information:

• For private vehicles: The vehicle’s details, i.e. make, model and engine capacity (e.g. 1300 cc) and a record of kilometres travelled (starting and ending each day).

• For public transport: Receipts MUST be submitted.

• For taxi commuters: If no receipt is issued, participants are required to submit a sworn affidavit with their claims stating the following:

  • Name and Persal number

  • School

  • Starting point and finishing point of journey

  • Fare for one trip

  • Dates claimed for

  • Amount claimed

  • That this was the only transport option they had and/or that this was the cheapest option available to them

  NO CLAIMS MAY BE SUBMITTED AFTER THE COURSE.

All Intermediate Phase teachers and SMTs are requested to register in advance with their EMDC. In order to ensure appropriate catering and organisational arrangements, registration closes at 16:00 on Monday, 19 April 2004.

Lunch and teas will be provided for all registered participants. Once registered, participants are required to honour their commitment.

Schools are strongly advised to ensure that all their Intermediate Phase teachers attend the same workshop so that Intermediate Phase planning for 2005 commences together for the staff team.

The following annexures are attached:

The successful implementation of the RNCS as a national curriculum depends on a common understanding of the curriculum and adequate preparation by school managers, teachers and the relevant Departmental officials.

The WCED wishes to emphasise the importance of attending these training courses so that together we can manage curriculum change and implementation to the advantage of all our learners. In conclusion, the Department wishes to thank principals and teachers for their support in this regard.

Heads of educational institutions are requested to ensure that the contents of this circular are brought to the attention of all relevant educators.