1. On 2 September 2011, the national Department of Basic Education (DBE) published Government Gazette No. 34600. This Gazette announced that the National Curriculum Statement (NCS) for Grades R to 12 is comprised of the following documents:

  1. The Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statements (CAPS) for all approved subjects for Grades R to 12

  2. The National Policy Pertaining to the Programme and Promotion Requirements of the NCS Grades R to 12

  3. The National Protocol for Assessment

In terms of the above Gazette, the new policy must be implemented in the Foundation Phase from January 2012, in the Intermediate Phase from January 2013, and in the Senior Phase from January 2014.
2. This minute serves as a first communiqué to inform schools and education district offices of the Western Cape Education Department’s provincial rollout programme for the NCS Grades R to 12 (CAPS) in the Intermediate Phase.

3. Schools and district offices are kindly requested to reserve the dates on the rollout programme below for the purposes indicated:

Target group Dates (2012) Purpose
Curriculum advisers in the Provincial Training Team (PTT) Wed, 9 to Fri, 11 May Orientation in changes in the NCS Grades R to12 (CAPS) manuals for The Intermediate Phase
All other officials responsible for the Intermediate Phase (including district officials and curriculum advisers not in the PTT), circuit team managers, IMG, Assessment, SNE & Co-ordination and Advice. Within the period: Tues, 15 to Thurs, 31 May Training in the NCS Grades R to 12 (CAPS) for Intermediate Phase implementation in 2013
Intermediate Phase (Lead teachers selected by education district offices) Fri, 8 to Sun, 10 June Head Office and district office officials equip lead teachers to orientate teachers in the NCS Grades R to 12 (CAPS)
All teachers of Grade 4 to 6 classes Mon, 9 to Wed, 11 July Circuit-based training in Intermediate Phase NCS Grades R to 12 (CAPS)
All principals of schools with Intermediate Phase grades Thurs, 12 July District and circuit-based orientation in Intermediate Phase NCS Grades R to 12 (CAPS)

4. All teachers, school management teams and relevant officials
4.1 must be able to introduce and/or support the implementation of the NCS (CAPS) in the Intermediate Phase from 2013; and
4.2 are required to attend the 2012 NCS (CAPS) orientation and ensure that planning for 2013 is aligned with the NCS (CAPS).

5. Further information on logistical matters will be provided closer to the above-mentioned dates.

6. Orientation of teachers
6.1 Registration: Schools are required to register Intermediate Phase teacher attendance on Annexure A. Logistics will be planned according to this information. Please complete in full, and return by no later than 16 April 2012 to the district GET co-ordinator. (See details on Annexure A.)
6.2 Venues: Each education district office will arrange training venues per circuit. District offices will inform each school of its training venue.
6.3 Travel: A travel allowance may be claimed, subject to the following conditions:
6.3.1 Full workshop attendance is confirmed.
6.3.2 At least 20 km per round trip per day is travelled (public and private transport).
6.3.3 The claim must not exceed 180 km per round trip per day. Teachers having to travel more than 140 km per round trip per day may register for accommodation. (See Annexure A.)

Claims will be assessed according to the following criteria:

Use of own car As far as possible, teachers must share transport.
Only the driver or owner of the vehicle may claim for the kilometres travelled. Any passengers must be listed.
A standard rate of R2,00 per kilometre will be paid. Engine capacity will not apply.
Use of shared transport in a private vehicle Only the driver or owner of the vehicle may claim for the kilometres travelled. Any passengers must be listed. A standard rate of R2,00 per kilometre will be paid. Engine capacity will not apply.
Use of shared transport in a bus or minibus provided by the school The school may either use its own bus and claim for kilometres travelled or arrange for the hire of a vehicle according to the cheapest quotation and pay the contractor. Quotations must be submitted to the district GET co-ordinator and approved before a contract is entered into. In the case of hiring a vehicle, the WCED will reimburse the school upon receipt of signed documentation. Teachers should arrange a group pick-up at a central point.
Use of public transport e.g. minibus taxi, bus, train, but not metered taxis Claims must indicate the start and end point of each leg of the journey. Reimbursements will be made according to standard rates. Evidence (tickets) may be requested by the claims official in order to validate the claim.
6.4 Accommodation and meals: Accommodation and meals (dinner and breakfast) will be made available on the following basis:
6.4.1 The distance to the training venue must be in excess of 140 km per round trip per day.
6.4.2 Full training course attendance is confirmed.
6.4.3 Checking-in takes place on Sunday, 8 July 2012, unless specified otherwise by the district GET co-ordinator.
6.4.4 A written application for accommodation has been submitted to the district GET co- ordinator.
6.4.5 The application has been approved in writing by the district GET co-ordinator.

Approval of the application for accommodation must be obtained (in writing) from the district GET co-ordinator by 15 June 2012. Teachers who qualify for accommodation are responsible for ensuring that they receive this written approval prior to booking. No claim will be paid without this prior approval from the district GET co-ordinator.

Types of accommodation that qualify for reimbursement:

Hostel accommodation School hostel accommodation at no charge to teachers. Please enquire from the GET co-ordinator if this option is available. If available, teachers must book accommodation by completing and returning the attached registration slip (Annexure A) by the due date. Hostel accommodation will be in shared rooms and teachers are required to bring their own bedding, towels and toiletries.
Registered hospitality establishments, e.g. bed-and-breakfast, guest house, hotel The following conditions will apply:
Teachers must complete and return the attached registration slip (Annexure A) by the due date.
Up to R250 per day may be claimed for dinner, bed and breakfast.
An original invoice from the establishment must be countersigned by the claimant and submitted at the training course.
Family or private accommodation The following conditions apply:
Teachers must complete and return the attached registration slip (Annexure A) by the due date.
Up to R130 per day may be claimed for dinner, bed and breakfast.
This claim must be accompanied by a sworn affidavit from the relative or person who provided the accommodation, counter-signed by the claimant and submitted at the training course.

7. Orientation of Principals and Deputy Principals:
7.1 Principals of schools with Intermediate Phase grades are required to attend a 1-day orientation workshop on the NCS Grades R-12 (CAPS). All those deputy principals responsible for the Intermediate Phase grades are also required to attend with their principal. This workshop will take place on Thursday, 12 July 2012 and it will begin at 08:00 sharp and end at 16:30.
7.2 Principals and Intermediate Phase deputy principals are required to register for attendance on Annexure B. Logistics will be planned according to this information. Please complete the form in full and return by no later than 16 April 2012 to the district GET co-ordinator.
7.3 Travel: The terms and conditions set out above will apply.
7.4 Accommodation and meals: Where possible, school hostel accommodation will be secured. If this is not possible, the other terms and conditions set out above will apply.

8. School principals and district directors are kindly requested to bring the content of this circular to the attention of all staff.


SIGNED: PA VINJEVOLD
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2012:03:22

Government Gazette No. 34600  (size: 115 KB)
Annexeure A: Registration for Intermediate Phase CAPS Teacher Training  (size: 16 KB)
Annexeure B: Registration for Intermediate Phase CAPS Orientation Workshop for Principals and Deputy Principals  (size: 15 KB)