1. Increase in per capita subsidy

Approval has been granted for the increase in the per capita subsidy for learners in approved Grade R classes at ordinary public schools and early childhood development (ECD) independent schools with effect from 1 April 2013. The per capita subsidies per learner per day have been increased as follows:

Ordinary public and ECD independent schools in

Quintile 1 from R18.00 to R20.00 (R4 000.00 per learner per annum);
Quintile 2 from R17.00 to R19.00 (R3 800.00 per learner per annum);
Quintile 3 from R16.00 to R18.00 (R3 600.00 per learner per annum);
Quintile 4 from R12.00 to R17.00 (R3 400.00 per learner per annum); and
Quintile 5 from R10.00 to R16.00 (R3 200.00 per learner per annum).

An ordinary public school with fewer than 20 learners will receive a subsidy of R84 000.00 per year, which consists of R72 000.00 for the annual salary of the Grade R practitioner and R12 000.00 for the purchasing of learning and teaching support material (LTSM) and the payment of utility services.

The subsidy for rural ordinary public schools that qualify for the minimum subsidy has been increased to R 84 000.00 per annum.

2. Submission of claim forms

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 reminded that the Grade R subsidy claim forms (Annexures A, B, C and D) must be completed correctly and signed before they are submitted to the education district office. Copies of attendance registers, the CEMIS report, pay slips, receipts for LTSM and evidence of the part payments made for utility services must also be submitted.

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 claims.

The quarterly subsidy applications for 2013-2014 must be submitted to local education district offices by the following dates:

Term Due date
First Term 2013 15 February 2013
Second Term 2013 10 May 2013
Third Term 2013 9 August 2013
Fourth Term 2013 25 October 2013

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 ECD manager at their education district office.

3. Salaries of Grade R practitioners

Numerous queries about Grade R practitioner salaries are still being received. The WCED wishes to re-emphasise that the remuneration of Grade R practitioners (except those practitioners who are still on the establishment of the WCED) is the responsibility of the relevant school 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 from 1 April 2013, the minimum salary for a Grade R practitioner should be R6,000.00 per month.

The schools in national quintiles 1, 2 and 3 are reminded that the Grade R practitioner is entitled to the full 80% of the subsidy allocation.

Governing bodies of schools in national quintiles 4 and 5 should use 80% of the subsidy for the practitioner’s salary. The governing bodies of these schools are also required to make a contribution towards the practitioner’s salary if it is less than the basic minimum salary of R6,000.00. Of the remaining 20% of the subsidy, 10% should be used for the purchasing of LTSM and 10% for utility services.

In order to avoid any underpayment of salaries, schools are requested to use the information contained in Annexure A and/or contact their district officials if they need assistance with the accurate calculation of their practitioner’s salary.

4. Principals are reminded to upload the Grade R practitioner’s information onto the database and to ensure quality learning and teaching in Grade R classes, through regular monitoring and evaluation.
5. The content of this circular must brought to the attention of all involved with Grade R, including SGBs, at all ordinary public schools and ECD independent schools.


SIGNED: PA VINJEVOLD
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2013:03:08

Annexure A  (size: 18 KB)