1. Principals are asked to refer to Examination Minute DEA/0029/2005 of 3 June 2005 for information in regarding the Common Tasks for Assessment (CTAs), particularly for the instructions regarding the amount of time to be allocated to each CTA. Please note that these allocations refer to a suggested minimum amount of time and that learners may take longer to complete the tasks.
2. It is important to remember that the tasks should be mediated in a supportive environment.
3. Because there have been delays in preparing and assuring the quality of the CTAs at a national level, the delivery to schools has had to be postponed to the fourth quarter, towards the end of October. The Department regrets the delay.
3.1 Distribution will take place as early as possible in October.
3.2 A further minute will be sent to the schools so that they know when to expect delivery.
3.3 Teachers can begin conducting the CTAs as soon as they are ready after the CTAs have been delivered.
4. The CTAs will be delivered in boxes and not sealed in plastic. Schools are encouraged to open the boxes and inspect the CTAs as soon as they are received to ensure that all the necessary preparations, such as providing the relevant equipment or resources, can be made for conducting the process smoothly. Schools should note that the maps that will be supplied should be retained for future use as a resource.
5. Queries regarding the registration of learners can be directed to Mr L van Gensen at (021) 467 2976, and regarding the delivery of the CTAs to Mr C Berry at (021) 467 2265.
6. Learners will be required to complete the CTAs by 21 November 2005 to allow time for the capture of the data by the schools.
7. The data capturing must be done in pencil on the data sheets provided, for electronic scanning purposes. Full instructions for the capture will be provided in the examinations’ minute, which will accompany the CTAs. quarter.
8. The EMDCs will manage the moderation process according to their advertised schedules of dates. If the CTAs have been completed and assessed prior to the scheduled moderation dates then this evidence should be brought to the moderation clusters as well.
9. Completed data sheets can be hand-delivered to Messrs L van Gensen or L van Harte in Room 417, Grand Central Towers, Lower Plein Street, Cape Town. Alternatively schools should call the courier company on tel. (021) 531 9191 for the sheets to be collected once they are ready. All sheets should be at Head Office by 2 December 2005.
10. Principals must note that the data sheets do not replace the promotion schedule, which must be completed manually or electronically for submission to the multi-functional team of the EMDC in the normal way.
12. The promotion schedule for 2005 is the same as the 2004 schedule. Apart from the omission of Section B of the CTA, the processes of compiling totals and record keeping are the same in 2005 as in 2004.
11.1 The electronic MS Excel version, which helps with the calculations, can be found on the website at http://curriculum.wcape.school.za on the “Assessment (GET and FET)” link, under the heading “Resources” and “Grade 9 Data Capture Instrument”.
11.2 A MS Word version of the document is under the same link under the heading “Promotion Schedule for Grade 9 2005”.
12. Schools are asked to bring the contents of this circular to the attention of all concerned so that teachers, learners and parents know that the CTAs are to be included in the programme for the fourth


SIGNED: J.P. RAULT-SMITH
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2005:09:05