| 1. |
This circular replaces all previous circulars related to Early Childhood Development (ECD) matters. |
| 2. |
Increase in per capita subsidy |
| 2.1 |
Approval has been granted for the increase in the per capita subsidy for learners in approved Grade R classes at ordinary public schools and ECD independent schools with effect from 1 April 2014. |
| 2.2 |
The per capita subsidies per learner per day have been increased as follows:
No Fee Schools: Ordinary Public Schools
(NQ 1, 2, 3 and selected NQ 4 and 5 schools)
R24.00 per day x 200 school days = R4800 per learner per annum
Fee Collecting Schools: Public and ECD Independent Schools
(School fees which are in excess of R400.00 per annum)
NQ 4 = R18.00 per day x 200 school days = R3600 per learner per annum
NQ 5 = R17.00 per day x 200 school days = R3400 per learner per annum |
| 2.3 |
Annexure A gives a detailed breakdown of the subsidy payments for the first transfer in April 2014. |
| 2.4 |
An ordinary public school with fewer than 20 learners will receive an amount of R108 000 per annum, which consists of R84 000 for the annual salary of the Grade R practitioner and R24 000 for the purchasing of Learning and Teaching Support Material (LTSM) and the payment of other utility services. |
| 3. |
Submission of claim forms |
| 3.1 |
Principals of schools with Grade R and heads of ECD institutions are reminded that subsidy applications are to be submitted to the local education district office by no later than the following dates:
| Term |
District Office |
| 1st Term of 2014 |
27 March 2014 |
| 2nd Term of 2014 |
26 June 2014 |
| 3rd Term of 2014 |
25 September 2014 |
| 4th Term of 2014 |
5 December 2014 |
Late submission of subsidy claim forms, with accompanying evidence, may impact negatively on the transfer of payments. |
| 3.2 |
Annexure B contains the new claim forms that must utilised from Term 2. |
| 4. |
No-fee schools offering Grade R |
| 4.1 |
No-fee schools that receive Grade R funding from the state may not charge school fees for Grade R learners (See National Financial Management Guidelines in Respect of Schools Offering Grade R Classes, October 2009, page 4). |
| 4.2 |
Parents may be requested to make voluntary contributions. |
| 4.3 |
It must be emphasised that these contributions are not compulsory and may not be used to exclude learners whose parents are not able to make such contributions. |
| 5. |
Payment of Grade R practitioner's salary |
| 5.1 |
Schools are reminded that the Grade R practitioners at all schools must receive the full 80% subsidy allocation which is transferred bi-annually. |
| 5.2 |
School Governing Bodies (SGBs) of NQ 4 and NQ 5 schools are requested to augment the Grade R practitioner’s salary so that the practitioner receives an amount which is more than the minimum of R7 000 per month. |
| 5.3 |
Grade R practitioners at the "No-Fee Schools" are entitled to the full 80% of the subsidy. |
| 5.4 |
Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) and Pay As You Earn (PAYE) contributions must be deducted from the Grade R practitioner’s salary and paid over to the relevant government departments. Furthermore, SGBs must register with the South African Revenue Services (SARS) as employers. |
| 6. |
Practitioner qualifications |
| 6.1 |
Principals and SGBs are reminded that the minimum qualification of a Grade R practitioner is NQF Level 5. |
| 6.2 |
The upgrading of qualifications is available at Further Education and Training (FET) Colleges. |
| 6.3 |
There must be a firm commitment from the Grade R practitioner, SGB and the Principal of the school to upgrade the qualifications of the practitioner if he/she is not yet in possession of the Level 5 qualification. |
| 7. |
Monitoring and evaluation
Principals are reminded to upload the Grade R practitioner’s information on the database. To ensure quality learning and teaching in Grade R classes, regular monitoring and evaluation should be conducted in these classes. |
| 8. |
Number of Grade R learners allowed per class
A class size of more than 30 learners negatively impacts on the provision of quality education in a Grade R class. Schools are reminded that the maximum number of Grade R learners allowed per class is 30.
Educator to Learner ratio = 1:30 |
| 9. |
Learner health and safety
To ensure the health and safety of learners, schools are required to maintain and ensure a safe outdoor play area. In particular this includes the maintenance of outdoor equipment and reparation of jungle gyms. |
| 10. |
The content of this circular must brought to the attention of those involved with Grade R at all ordinary public and ECD independent schools. |
SIGNED: PA VINJEVOLD
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2014:03:25
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