| 1. |
According to paragraph (6) of the policy: The National Senior Certificate: A Qualification at Level 4 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), subject changes are allowed in the following instances:
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| 1.1 |
A learner may change one or more subjects in his or her Grade 10 year.
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| 1.2 |
Learners may change a subject in Grade 11 or 12 if the school deems it in the best interest of the learner to change a subject. The school may take such a decision only after consultation with the Head of Department or his / her delegate.
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| 2. |
The process for all subject changes in Grades 10 to 12 must be explained in the school assessment policy.
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| 3. |
The principal as instructional leader is held accountable for the application of all policies.
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| 4. |
The learner and the parent / guardian must be aware that the choice of certain subjects, depending on the subject groupings, may exclude the learner from pursuing a tertiary education. Schools must therefore advise learners on their subject choices to suit their future careers.
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| 5. |
It must be noted that the National Senior Certificate (NSC) will only be awarded if a learner demonstrates competence in all the learning outcomes and assessment standards that would have been covered over a three-year period (Grade 10, 11 and 12.)
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| 6. |
Subject changes in Grade 10 will be managed by the school.
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| 7. |
Subject changes in Grades 11 and 12 must be avoided, unless it is regarded as absolutely essential, in which case the following procedure will apply:
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| 7.1 |
The parent must apply for the change of subject in writing to the school principal.
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| 7.2 |
The principal will acknowledge receipt of the request in an official letter to the parents, stating the name and details of the learner and the old and the new subject.
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| 7.3 |
The decision whether to effect the necessary subject change will be based on the learner history, the performance of the learner in the old subject and the reason for the change.
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| 7.4 |
The principal will consult with the learner, the parent/guardian, the subject teacher and the curriculum adviser for that subject, and consensus must be reached on whether it is in the best interest of the learner to change a subject.
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| 7.5 |
After proper consultation and after an agreement has been reached, the learner, parent/guardian, class teacher and the principal must sign a memorandum of agreement (Addendum A), indicating that the subject change is being made in the best interest of the learner.
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| 7.6 |
A letter from the school, supported by the letter from the parent as well as the memorandum of agreement, must be submitted to the district director who will submit it to the WCED (Head Office).
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| 7.7 |
Requests for approval of subject changes in Grades 11 and 12 must be submitted to the WCED via the district office at least a month prior to the commencement of the new academic year. Only in exceptional cases will requests for subject changes be approved after the start of the academic year, but not later that 25 January.
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| 8. |
It remains the responsibility of the principal to ensure the correct learner registration on CEMIS.
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| 9. |
Kindly ensure that parents, teachers and learners from Grades 10 to 12 are familiar with the content and implications of this policy.
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SIGNED: B.K. SCHREUDER
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2008:02:05
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