Approval has been granted for the increase in the per capita subsidy for children in approved Grade R classes at ordinary public and independent schools retrospectively with effect from 1 April 2009. The per capita subsidies per learner per day have been increased as follows:

The subsidy for rural, ordinary public schools that qualify for the minimum subsidy has been increased to R48 000 per annum. The subsidies of some schools have already been adjusted and the arrears paid into their accounts. The other schools will receive their arrear payments early in the new year.

Each year, as from 2010, the first portion of the subsidy will be paid in April, and the second portion in October.

Principals of ordinary public schools and heads of independent schools are again reminded that Grade R subsidy applications must be completed correctly and signed before they are submitted to the education district office. Incomplete forms (or forms submitted directly to Head Office) will be returned, which will obviously lead to delays in both the approval procedure and the payment of the claims. The quarterly subsidy applications for 2010-2011 must be submitted to local education district offices and then to Head Office by the following dates:

Term	Education district office	Head Office
1st Term of 2010	12 February 2010	26 February 2010
2nd Term of 2010	21 May 2010	4 June 2010
3rd Term of 2010	20 August 2010	3 September 2010
4th Term of 2010	12 November 2010	3 December 2010

Ordinary public and independent schools that fail to adhere to the above dates run the risk of forfeiting these subsidies. Schools requiring assistance with the completion of the subsidy claim forms should contact the IMG manager at their 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 practitioners who are still on the establishment of the WCED) is the responsibility of the relevant governing body. It is, therefore, imperative that governing bodies conclude a contract with each Grade R practitioner, clearly stipulating each practitioner's remuneration and conditions of service.

As a result of the increase in the cost of living, it is recommended that the minimum remuneration of a Grade R practitioner be R4 000, 00 per month as from 1 January 2010 (Annexure A).

The Departmental subsidy for Grade R classes is strictly for the running of these classes. As from 1 January 2010, eighty percent (80%) of the subsidy must be used as a contribution to practitioners' salaries, while the remaining twenty percent (20%) must be used 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 salaries of Grade R practitioners, it is the responsibility of the school governing body to make up the deficit through fund-raising and the levying of school fees.

Because of the limited funds available, it is also recommended that ordinary public and independent schools purchase only LTSM of a good quality from which learners can gain maximum benefit.

It must be emphasised that any misappropriation of Grade R funds will result in the suspension of the subsidy to the ordinary public or independent school concerned. For this reason, it is imperative that proper care is taken with the drawing up of the concise financial statement that is submitted with each subsidy application.

It is important to note that, if schools wish to maintain their registration of their Grade R classes, then they must maintain an enrolment of at least 20 learners per Grade R class, except those in isolated rural areas. Furthermore, subsidies will be offered to ordinary public schools in certain, urban areas with a minimum enrolment of between 15 and 19 learners.

In accordance with the National Norms and Standards for Grade R funding (Government Notice No. 30679 of 18 January 2008), all ordinary public schools offering Grade R must be registered on the EMIS and in possession of a current registration certificate. All their Grade R learners must be registered on the CEMIS.

All independent schools offering Grade R are required to register on the EMIS as independent schools and be in possession of a current registration certificate. All their Grade R learners must be registered on the CEMIS.

No-fee schools that receive Grade R funding from the state are not allowed to charge school fees for Grade R learners (see National Financial Management Guidelines in Respect of Schools Offering Grade R Classes, October 2009. page 4).

Parents may be requested to make voluntary contributions. However, it must be emphasised that these contributions are not compulsory and may not be used to exclude learners whose parents are not able to make such contributions.