| 1. |
National education policy stipulates that a learner may offer a maximum of one subject from the curriculum of an accredited assessment body other than the Department of Basic Education, provided that such a subject is accommodated in national education policy. |
| 2. |
The Music programmes of the following accredited external examination bodies are currently listed in the National Curriculum Statement Grades R to12: |
| 2.1 |
UNISA Practical Music Examination |
| 2.2 |
Trinity College of London Practical Music Examination |
| 2.3 |
Associated Board of Royal Schools of Music Practical Music Examination |
| 3. |
From 2014, the offering of external Music programmes of the above three examination bodies as part of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) will be restricted as follows: |
| 3.1 |
The external Music programmes may be offered only as an eighth NSC subject. |
| 3.2 |
A learner may enrol for the selected external Music programmes only in his or her Grade 12 year. |
| 3.3 |
The selected external Music programmes must be offered at the programme’s Grade 7 level. |
| 3.4 |
The selected external Music programmes may not be offered during official school hours, but only as extra-curricular subjects. |
| 4. |
Trinity College of London informed the Department of Basic Education in February 2012 that it had introduced a new Music theory syllabus that requires a pass mark of 60%, instead of the 65% required for the previous syllabus. The Minister of Basic Education approved this decision by Trinity College of London in Government Gazette No. 36465 of 17 May 2013. |
| 5. |
The pass requirements for learners who offer an external Music programme are now as follows: |
| 5.1 |
UNISA Practical Music Examination: At least 50% |
| 5.2 |
Trinity College of London Practical Music Examination: At least 60% |
| 5.3 |
Associated Board of Royal Schools of Music Practical Music Examination: At least 65% |
| 6. |
Principals are kindly requested to convey the content of this circular to all candidates who offer an external Music programme. |
SIGNED: PENNY VINJEVOLD
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2013:07:19
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