| 1. |
The roles and functions of a district office are to assist and support institutions to deliver high quality education. |
| 2. |
On 03 April 2013 in Government Gazette No. 36324, the Department of Basic Education published a policy termed The Organisation, Roles and Responsibilities of Education Districts to promote uniform structures and nomenclature across districts in the nine provinces. |
| 2.1 |
This policy resulted in the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) having to review its existing district structures to ensure that they are aligned to the new national norms and standards for district offices. |
| 2.2 |
During 2015 the WCED embarked on a consultation process involving teacher unions, district staff and governing body associations. |
| 3. |
The current structure of 49 circuit teams will be disbanded on 31 December 2015 and will be replaced by 64 circuits in 2016. |
| 3.1 |
Each circuit will be managed by a Circuit Manager who will provide support to institutions. |
| 3.2 |
Due to the increased number of circuits, some schools will be allocated to a different circuit from 01 January 2016. |
| 3.3 |
The process also resulted in the re-organisation of district boundaries where 49 schools will move to a different district in 2016. All changes in this regard will be communicated to schools by district directors. |
| 4. |
Districts have already embarked on a process of informing institutions about the impending changes and the type of support that will be provided to them during the transitional phase. |
| 5. |
All enquiries regarding circuit allocations, district boundaries and support to schools should be directed to the relevant district director. |
SIGNED: PA VINJEVOLD
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2015:11:20
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