1. Introduction
1.1 This circular must be read in conjunction with Curriculum Minute 0062/2005 of 17/08/2005.
1.2 The National Curriculum Statement Grades 10 – 12 (General) will be implemented in Grade 10 in all public and independent schools in January 2006.
1.3 This three-year study programme, the second and third years of which will be implemented in Grade 11 in 2007 and Grade 12 in 2008, will lead to a National Senior Certificate.
1.4 The first National Senior Certificate examination will be written in October/November 2008.

2. National Senior Certificate
2.1 In order to qualify for a National Senior Certificate in 2008, the Grade 10 learners of 2006 must offer seven subjects as follows from the approved list of subjects contained in the policy document, National Senior Certificate: A qualification at Level 4 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF):
2.1.1 Two official languages, provided that one of the two official languages is offered on the Home Language level and the other on the Home or First Additional Language level. One of the languages must be the language of learning and teaching (LOLT);
2.1.2 Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy;
2.1.3 Life Orientation;
2.1.4 A minimum of any three subjects selected from the approved list of subjects from Annexure B of the policy document, National Senior Certificate: A qualification at Level 4 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).
2.2 Learners may also offer one of the following approved subjects offered by the following assessment bodies that the Minister of Education has approved for this purpose:
2.2.1 Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, Practical Music Examination;
2.2.2 Trinity College of London, Practical Music Examination;
2.2.3 UNISA, Practical Music Examination.

3. Unsuccessful candidates and part-time candidates
3.1 Special provision has been made for Senior Certificate candidates who are unsuccessful in the Senior Certificate examination of 2007 to have the opportunity until March 2011 to complete the Senior Certificate.
3.2 This special provision also applies to part-time candidates who are already enrolled in the Senior Certificate programme. Centre managers of public adult learning centres must ensure that all learners who are currently enrolled in the Senior Certificate programme are aware of this special provision.
3.3 All Senior Certificate subjects successfully completed before 2006 will be recognised for the issuing of the Senior Certificate until March 2011.
3.4 The policy document, A Résumé of instructional programmes in schools Report 550, which contains the programme requirements for the Senior Certificate, will thus only have a maintenance function and will be gradually replaced by the new policy document, the National Senior Certificate: A qualification at Level 4 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

4. Policy documents and guidelines

This circular is underpinned by the following policy documents and guidelines:

4.1 National Senior Certificate: A qualification at Level 4 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF);
4.2 National Curriculum Statement Grades 10 –12 (General) comprising the Subject Statements for the various approved subjects;
(see Department of Education: Documents - Policies for a complete list of documents)
4.3 Learning programme guidelines for the various approved subjects;
(see Department of Education: Documents - Policies for a complete list of documents)
4.4 Subject assessment guidelines for the various approved subjects;
(see Department of Education: Documents - Policies for a complete list of documents)
4.5 National Protocol on assessment for schools in the General and Further Education and Training Bands (Grades R – 12); and
4.6 Minimum requirements for Higher Certificate, Diploma and Bachelor’s Degree Programmes requiring a National Senior Certificate  (for a summary see Circular 53 of 2005).

5. Heads of all institutions that offer the Senior Certificate and National Senior Certificate examinations must ensure that they have the above documentation at their schools and that the school community engages actively with these documents.


SIGNED: S.M. NAICKER
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2006:06:02

National Senior Certificate: A qualification at Level 4 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF)  (size: 293 KB)
National Protocol on assessment for schools in the General and Further Education and Training Bands (Grades R – 12)  (size: 448 KB)
Minimum requirements for Higher Certificate, Diploma and Bachelor’s Degree Programmes requiring a National Senior Certificate  (size: 161 KB)