Approval has been granted for the increase in the per capita subsidy relating to children in Grade R at approved Grade R classes/learning sites retrospective with effect from 1 April 2008 (2nd term). The per capita subsidy per learner per day has been increased as follows:

Schools in Quintiles 1 & 2 from R9 to R12
Schools in Quintile 3 from R8 to R9
Schools in Quintile 4 from R4 to R6
Schools in Quintile 5 from R4 to R5

Only the subsidy of schools that qualify for the minimum subsidy of R24 000 per annum remains unchanged. The subsidies of some of the affected schools/sites have already been adjusted and the arrears paid into their accounts. The other schools/sites will receive their arrear payments early in the new year.

Principals of schools with Grade R and heads of early childhood development (ECD) institutions are again reminded that subsidy applications should be completed correctly and signed before they are submitted to the education district office. Incomplete forms (or forms submitted directly to Head Office) must unfortunately be returned, which leads to delays in the approval and payment of the claims.

The quarterly subsidy applications for 2009 should be submitted via the local education district office to Head Office on or before the following dates:

Term	District Office	Head Office
1st Term of 2009	Friday, 6 March 2009	Friday, 27 March 2009
2nd Term of 2009	Friday, 22 May 2009	Friday, 12 June 2009
3rd Term of 2009	Friday, 28 August 2009	Friday, 18 September 2009
4th Term of 2009	Friday, 6 November 2009	Friday, 27 November 2009

Schools/sites that fail to adhere to the above dates run the risk of forfeiting their subsidy, because the WCED receives numerous requests for financial assistance from other needy schools with Grade R. Schools requiring assistance with the completion of the subsidy claim forms can contact the IMG ECD adviser at the education district office.

In response to numerous queries regarding the above, the WCED wishes to emphasise that the remuneration of the Grade R practitioners (except those educators who are still on the establishment of the WCED) is the responsibility of the relevant governing body. It is therefore imperative that the governing body of a Grade R learning site concludes a contract with the Grade R practitioner that clearly stipulates the service benefits of the latter.

As a result of the increase in the cost of living it is recommended that the minimum remuneration of Grade R practitioners be fixed at R3 500, 00 per month.

The departmental subsidy paid to ECD learning sites is strictly for the running of Grade R classes. Seventy percent (70%) should be used as contribution to the salary of the relevant practitioner(s) and the remaining thirty percent (30%) for the acquisition of learning and teaching support material (LTSM). As the WCED does not provide the full budget for the running of Grade R classes and the salary of the Grade R practitioner, it is the responsibility of the governing body of the school to cover the deficit through fundraising events and the levying of school fees.

Because of the limited funds available, it is further recommended that schools/institutions only purchase quality LTSM from which the Grade R learners will gain maximum benefit.

It must be emphasised that any misappropriation of Grade R funds will result in the suspension of the subsidy to the relevant school/learning site. For this reason it is imperative that proper care is taken with the compilation of the concise financial statement that is submitted with the subsidy application.

An important requirement for continuous registration is that a minimum of 20 learners per Grade R class be maintained. Where schools/centres (except those in isolated rural areas) fail to comply with this requirement, such registration and/or subsidy can also be suspended until such requirement is met.