| 1.1 |
The staff establishments of public ordinary schools have been determined in terms of the revised post-provisioning norms approved by the Heads of Education Committee (HEDCOM) in 2007 following on the latest changes to the Grade 10 and 11 curriculums. The weightings in Grades 10 and 11 have changed as a result of the changes to the Grade 10 and 11 curriculums. The Grade 12 weightings, as indicated in the Revised Post Distribution Model (RPDM), which was attached to Circular 0143/2002 of 15 November 2002 as Annexure A, remain the same. This means that, for Grade 12, the same principles and measures that were used to determine the 2003 to 2007 staff establishments have been used for 2008.
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| 1.2 |
Prior to 2005, staff establishments for the public special schools were issued every 3 years. Since 2005, staff establishments have been issued annually.
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| 1.3 |
As prescribed by legislation, the WCED has consulted both the employee parties to the Provincial Education Labour Relations Council (PELRC) and the recognised school governing body associations on the staff establishments of public ordinary schools and special schools.
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| 2. |
MEASURES (BROAD PRINCIPLES)
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| 2.1 |
POST STRUCTURE
The post structure and descriptions contained in Collective Agreement 4/2003 of the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) are applicable to staff establishments.
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| 2.2 |
SCHOOL GRADINGS
Schools are graded according to the School Grading Norms as contained in Collective Agreement 3/2006 of the ELRC.
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| 2.3 |
EXPIRY OF POSTS ON 31 DECEMBER 2007
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| 2.3.1 |
In terms of the measures of the RPDM, public ordinary schools and special schools must be issued with their annual staff establishments before the end of September of the previous year. This means that all staff establishments issued to public ordinary schools and special schools, as well as all additional posts created during 2007 as a result of either increased learner enrolment or the curriculum needs of an institution, expire at the end of 2007.
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| 2.3.2 |
The ad hoc posts (over and above the posts reflected in the fixed establishment of a school) granted to schools at the end of 2006 for utilisation in 2007 to ensure that certain public ordinary schools had a learner: educator dispensation of 33:1 (secondary schools) or 39,5:1 (primary schools), also expire at the end of 2007.
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| 2.4 |
AD HOC ALLOCATION: 458 AD HOC POSTS (POST LEVEL 1 POSTS)
The WCED is pleased to announce that with the growth in the overall number of affordable posts, it is now possible to grant ad hoc posts to schools as set out hereunder:
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| 2.4.1 |
Four hundred and fifty-eight (458) posts, to be allocated to schools on an ad hoc basis over and above the fixed establishments, have been approved for 2008.
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| 2.4.2 |
The following were taken into account in allocating these 458 additional ad hoc posts (with due regard for each institution's fixed establishment for 2008):
| (a) |
In the first place, certain secondary schools and combined schools have not been allocated a minimum of six posts in the fixed 2008 establishment for the secondary phase (Grades 8 to 12).
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| (b) |
Secondly, twenty-seven (27) posts have been set aside for small one-teacher schools.
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| (c) |
Thirdly, schools have been ranked in terms of poverty and, starting with the very poorest school, selected schools with a learner: educator dispensation of more than 33:1 (secondary schools) or more than 37.5:1 (primary schools) have been allocated additional posts until the approved number of ad hoc posts have been exhausted.
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| 2.5 |
AD HOC ALLOCATION: FOCUS SCHOOL POSTS
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| 2.5.1 |
Forty-six (46) focus school posts have been allocated to certain focus schools on an ad hoc basis, over and above the fixed establishment for 2008.
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| 2.5.2 |
These posts must be used exclusively for the purpose for which they were intended and must further the objectives of the Focus School Initiative. Every effort must be made to ensure that suitable, professionally qualified teachers are recruited for these posts. If it is not possible to recruit a suitably qualified teacher, then a teacher with the necessary experience in the subject field may be considered for appointment, provided that a full written justification is submitted.
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| 2.5.3 |
With the aim of improving education and pass rates, selected MST focus schools, particularly in Mathematics and Physical Science, have been granted one additional ad hoc post (Post Level 1).
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| 2.5.4 |
The additional posts have been allocated on an ad hoc basis and therefore do not form part of the fixed establishment for 2008. These additional posts have not been taken into account for the allocation of promotion posts. Therefore, the number of promotion posts, as reflected in an institution's fixed establishment for 2008, is unaffected.
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| 2.5.5 |
The WCED reserves the right to recalculate any ad hoc allocation if the information about a school, as contained in the CEMIS Online Survey of March 2007, is found to be incorrect.
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| 2.5.6 |
The allocated ad hoc posts for 2008 are given in the establishment letter to the institution.
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| 2.6.1 |
The manner in which additional posts have been allocated to Dinaledi Schools (over and above the fixed establishment of that particular Dinaledi school) remains the same.
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| 2.6.2 |
It is hereby announced that these posts may now be filled in a permanent capacity.
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| 2.6.3 |
Because these posts are now permanent, they will be taken into account when determining the number of promotion posts in a school.
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| 2.7 |
POSTS FOR FOUNDATION PHASE
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| 2.7.1 |
The overall number of affordable posts of the WCED has been increased with effect from 1 January 2008. After consultation with the relevant stakeholders, it has been decided that the majority of the increased number of posts will be allocated to the Foundation Phase of schools.
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| 2.7.2 |
The allocation of posts to the fixed establishments of schools with a Foundation Phase will be done in the normal manner, whereafter the learners in the Foundation Phase will be further weighted, which could result in many schools with Foundation Phase receiving (an) additional Post Level 1 post(s).
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| 2.7.3 |
These additional Post Level 1 posts may be used only in the Foundation Phase of the school.
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| 2.7.4 |
This means that all affected schools must have at least the number of Foundation Phase posts normally allocated by the school PLUS the ad hoc Foundation Phase post(s) which have been allocated as a result of the above-mentioned weighting of Foundation Phase learners.
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| 2.7.5 |
The additional Post Level 1 post(s) allocated may be filled in a permanent capacity.
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| 2.7.6 |
Because of the permanent nature of these posts, they will also be taken into account for the determination of the number of promotion posts in a school.
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| 2.8 |
GRADE 8 LEARNERS: DETERMINATION OF STAFF ESTABLISHMENTS
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| 2.8.1 |
When the age policy was amended at the beginning of 2000, it resulted in approximately 22 000 fewer learners registered in Grade 1. This has resulted in a smaller number of Grade 8 learners in 2007. It is foreseen, therefore, that the total number of Grade 9 learners for 2008 will, therefore, be considerably less than in previous years. In view thereof, and in order to maintain stability in the system, the fixed 2008 staff establishments of intermediate and combined schools with Grades 8 and 9, as well as secondary schools, have been calculated as follows:
| (a) |
If the 2008 fixed establishment of a school (based on the information obtained from CEMIS Online Survey of March 2007), is more than the fixed establishment of 2007 -despite any fluctuations in the number of Grade 8 learners in 2006 and 2007 - then that increased establishment for 2008 will be issued to that school.
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| (b) |
If the 2008 fixed establishment of a school (based on the information obtained from CEMIS Online Survey of March 2007) is less than the fixed establishment of 2007, then the number of Grade 8 learners of 2006 (if it is higher than the number of Grade 8 learners in 2007) will be used to calculate the fixed establishment of the school for 2008.
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| 2.8.2 |
As for the rest of the grades, the learner numbers obtained from the CEMIS Online Survey of March 2007 have been used to determine the establishment of the school, as is normally the case.
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| 2.9 |
LSEN POSTS
As indicated in Circular 47/2002, all LSEN posts at public ordinary schools are linked to the establishments of EMDCs and therefore do not appear in the establishments of schools.
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| 2.10 |
THERAPIST POSTS
One hundred and twenty-one (121) therapist posts were allocated to special schools in 2007. The same number of therapist posts will be allocated in 2008.
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| 2.11 |
PSYCHOLOGIST POSTS: PUBLIC SPECIAL SCHOOLS
The psychologist posts at public special schools, where applicable, form part of the promotion posts.
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| 2.12 |
REVISION OF 2008 ESTABLISHMENTS
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| 2.12.1 |
The WCED has distributed the number of affordable posts to institutions under its control, in accordance with the RPDM and the measures set out in this circular.
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| 2.12.2 |
The WCED realises that there could, however, be heads of public ordinary schools who wish to have their establishments reviewed because of exceptional changes in the circumstances at their institutions. Fully motivated requests for the revision of establishments may be submitted to the WCED, marked For attention: Head of the Subdirectorate: Provisioning (Directorate: Personnel Management (Educators), by 19 October 2007.
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| 2.13 |
ABOLITION OF POSTS RESULTING FROM REDUCED ENROLMENT ON FIRST SCHOOL DAY OF 2008
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| 2.13.1 |
Where a school experiences a reduction in its learner enrolment when schools reopen in 2008, i.e. where the learner enrolment on the first day of school is lower than the learner enrolment (CEMIS 2007 data) reflected in its establishment for 2008, posts may be filled only to an extent equal to the learner: educator dispensation of that school's establishment for 2008.
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| 2.13.2 |
The above means that should a school's establishment for 2008 (based on the CEMIS 2007 data) of 1000 learners make provision for 30 posts (which gives a learner: educator dispensation of 33.33: 1 for the public ordinary school concerned) and the learner enrolment on the first school day of 2008 be only 920, then the principal may fill only 28 posts (920÷ 33.33 = 28 (27.60)). The remaining two posts will be abolished and allocated to schools where there has been growth. This reallocation will also to be based on the number of learners registered on CEMIS.
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| 2.13.2 |
The above measure is NOT applicable to public ordinary schools where ALL posts are filled in a permanent capacity. However, should a post fall vacant, for whatever reason, the above measure will apply.
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| 2.14 |
ABOLITION OF POSTS AS A RESULT OF A DROP IN ENROLMENT DURING 2008
The WCED reserves the right to abolish Post Level 1 posts if there is a drop in the school's learner enrolment during the course of 2008. In such cases, educators appointed in a temporary capacity will be transferred to posts at other institutions. Therefore, when recruiting educators on a temporary basis, heads of institutions are requested to inform applicants that they will be appointed on the understanding that they may have be transferred to other institutions if posts are abolished as a result of a drop in learner enrolment.
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| 2.15 |
CREATION OF POSTS AS A RESULT OF AN INCREASE IN ENROLMENT IN 2008
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| 2.15.1 |
Applications for the creation of additional posts at public ordinary schools as a result of growth in learner enrolment must be submitted to the WCED as indicated in DPE Minute No. 0007/2006, dated 8 December 2006. The requirements for approval of additional posts are set out in Circular 0011/2003 of 16 January 2003.
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| 2.15.2 |
Principals are requested to note the following:
"Applications for additional posts will not be considered after the end of the first school term in March 2008.
"No appointments may be made to (additional) posts applied for as a result of growth and/or curriculum needs unless written approval has been obtained from the WCED.
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| 3.1 |
FILLING OF POSTS WHEN THE NUMBER OF POSTS HAS BEEN INCREASED
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| 3.1.1 |
Where there has been an increase in the number of educator posts allocated to a public ordinary school, newly created posts may be filled in the following ways:
| (a) |
Matching and placing of staff in excess (Note that the matching and placing of educators in excess is a continual process, which will be given preference over the advertising of posts.)
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| (b) |
Through advertisements in the Vacancy List with the view to the permanent filling of such posts (This means that Post Level 1 and promotion posts must be advertised at the earliest possible opportunity.)
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| (c) |
On a permanent or temporary basis, or in an acting capacity in terms of existing policy measures
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| 3.2 |
FILLING OF POSTS WHEN THE NUMBER OF POSTS HAS BEEN REDUCED
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| 3.2.1 |
Where there has been a reduction in the number of posts allocated to a public ordinary school or public special school (i.e. a post or posts has/have been abolished), the school may fill posts only to the limit indicated on the staff establishment. It therefore follows that a school may not fill more posts than are provided for in its establishment.
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| 3.2.2 |
Should there be more permanently appointed educators at a school than the number of posts provided in the establishment of that school, the school may not make any further permanent or temporary appointments.
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| 3.2.3 |
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.
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| 3.2.4 |
Declaring a permanently appointed educator in excess must be done in terms of Collective Agreement 2/2003 of the ELRC.
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| 3.3 |
FILLING OF ADVERTISED POSTS
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| 3.3.1 |
All posts that have already been advertised in a Departmental Vacancy List may be filled permanently, provided that the post appears on the 2008 staff establishment.
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| 3.3.2 |
Should an advertised post not appear on the 2008 staff establishment, the institution is not entitled to that post and such a post will be regarded as erroneously advertised.
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| 3.3.3 |
The stipulation, that an advertised post (particularly a promotion post) may be filled only if it does not create an additional educator in excess, remains in place.
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| 3.3.4 |
Should heads of institutions and governing bodies be 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. A detailed explanation must accompany such a request.
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| 3.4 |
FILLING OF AD HOC POSTS
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| 3.4.1 |
Ad hoc posts may be filled only in a temporary capacity and, in the case of fully qualified educators, that temporary appointment may be for no longer than twelve calendar months and may not extend beyond 31 December 2008.
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| 3.4.2 |
The filling of ad hoc posts must be done with due regard to paragraphs 2.12 and 2.13 of this circular.
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| 3.5.1 |
Educators who have already been declared in excess, based on previous establishments and in accordance with previous processes, and who are still in excess, retain their in excess status. These educators will be dealt with in terms of the prevailing collective agreements of the ELRC.
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| 3.5.2 |
These educators in excess (refer to paragraph 3.5.1) may be absorbed into vacancies in the new staff establishment by way of matching and placing (refer to paragraph 3.1.1(a)).
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| 3.5.3 |
As indicated in paragraph 3.2.4 above, permanently appointed educators must be identified as in excess in terms of Collective Agreement 2/2003 of the ELRC.
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| 4. |
ENQUIRIES
Kindly address all enquiries pertaining to this circular (measures, etc.) to circuit managers.
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| 5. |
GENERAL
Please bring the contents of this circular to the attention of all educators and governing body members.
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SIGNED: R.B. SWARTZ
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2007:09:05
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