1. In 2014, the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statements (CAPS) will be implemented in the Senior Phase (Grades 7, 8 and 9) and in Grade 12.
2. To support the implementation, the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) will supply all learners with CAPS-aligned textbooks for the following subjects:

  • Grades 7, 8 and 9: Home Language, First Additional Language, Mathematics, Life Orientation, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Creative Arts, Technology and Economic Management Sciences
  • Grade 12: Home Language, First Additional Language, Mathematics/Mathematics Literacy, Life Orientation and three chosen subjects

Schools will be required to purchase teachers’ guides from their Norms and Standards allocation.
3. The national catalogues of approved Grades 7, 8, 9 and 12 CAPS textbooks, issued by the Department of Basic Education, will be made available to schools by 15 April 2013.
4. CAPS textbook exhibitions will be held at education district venues during May 2013, when all CAPS Grades 7, 8, 9 and 12 textbooks and teachers’ guides listed on the national catalogues will be available for your perusal. Important information will be provided so that schools can make informed textbook selections. The dates, venues and programmes for the exhibitions will be communicated to schools during April 2013.
5. Schools will order their selected Grades 7, 8 and 9 and Grade 12 textbooks on the CAPS ordering facility on the CEMIS during June 2013. The closing dates for capturing these textbooks orders on the CEMIS will be confirmed in May 2013.
6. The WCED will purchase the CAPS textbooks on behalf of public schools.
7. Schools are required to update and verify their learner enrolment figures per grade, subject and language (Home Language and First Additional Language) on the CEMIS.
8. The WCED will use the current learner enrolment in Grades 7, 8, 9 and 12, in conjunction with the pass rate of previous years and targets set by the schools, to limit the quantity of CAPS textbooks that may be ordered per grade, per school.
9. Kindly bring the content of this circular to the attention of all relevant personnel.


SIGNED: PA VINJEVOLD
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2013:03:14