| 1. |
New assessment policies |
| 1.1 |
The National Curriculum Statement Grades R – 12, promulgated in Government Gazette No. 34600 of 12 September 2011, comprises the following policy documents:
- Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statements for all approved subjects for Grades R – 12
- The policy document, National policy pertaining to the programme and promotion requirements of the National Curriculum Statement Grades R – 12
- The National Protocol for Assessment Grades R – 12
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| 1.2 |
The above-mentioned policies will be phased in over the period 2012 to 2014. |
| 2. |
Subject choice: Computer Applications Technology and Information Technology |
| 2.1 |
An important policy stipulation emanating from the policy document, National policy pertaining to the programme and promotion requirements of the National Curriculum Statement Grades R – 12, relates to the subject choices in Grades 10 – 12. |
| 2.2 |
From 2012, learners in Grade 10 who are following the National Curriculum Statement Grades R – 12, may offer the subjects Computer Applications Technology and Information Technology in combination to comply with the seven-subject package for the National Senior Certificate. |
| 2.3 |
It is, however, important to note that those learners in Grade 11 and 12 in 2012 and in Grade 12 in 2013 must still comply with the existing policy as stipulated in paragraph 10(8) of the policy document, National Senior Certificate: A qualification at Level 4 on the National Qualifications Framework, namely that learners may not offer both Computer Applications Technology and Information Technology for National Senior Certificate purposes.
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| 3. |
Amendments to existing policy
Two aspects emanating from the new policy document, National policy pertaining to the programme and promotion requirements of the National Curriculum Statement Grades R – 12, will have an influence on Grades 11 and 12 during the interim period, 2012 and 2013. This has necessitated the following amendments to the current policy, National Senior Certificate: A qualification at Level 4 on the National Qualifications Framework:
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| 3.1 |
In paragraph 12(1)(a)(ii), which defines an immigrant learner, the words
"having begun his or her schooling at a school in South Africa, has attended school outside South Africa for two or more consecutive years after Grade 6 or its equivalent"
have been substituted with
"having begun his or her schooling at a school in South Africa, he or she has attended school outside South Africa for two or more consecutive years after Grade 3 or its equivalent and before Grade 9 or its equivalent and has subsequently returned to South Africa".
This is implemented with immediate effect and means that principals should note the change in order to advise learners appropriately.
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| 3.2 |
Paragraph 20, which deals with external Music programmes, is amended by the addition of the following new sub-paragraph 8:
Subject to paragraph 28(7) of the policy document, National policy pertaining to the programme and promotion requirements of the National Curriculum Statement Grades R – 12, the Associated Board of Royal Schools of Music, Trinity College of London and UNISA (Grades 6 – 7) Practical Music Examinations listed as Group C subjects to be offered by NSC learners should be incrementally phased out as follows:
- Grade 10 in December 2011
- Grade 11 in December 2012
- Grade 12 in December 2013
This means that there may be no new enrolments in Grade 10 in 2012 for any of the above-listed external Music programmes. Learners in Grade 12 in 2014 may offer one of the above-listed external Music programmes as an eighth subject under restricted conditions. This subject will not be used for promotion purposes in Grades 10 and 11 nor for certification in Grade 12.
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| 5. |
Principals are requested to bring the content of this circular to the attention of the teachers and learners concerned and to note the immediate implementation of amended policy indicated in paragraphs 3.1 and 3.2 above. |
SIGNED: PA VINJEVOLD
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2012:02:20
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