1. The first of the 2005 Common Tasks for Assessment (CTAs) for Grade 9 learners: Mathematics, Mathematical Literacy and Mathematical Science (MMLMS) and Life Orientation (LO) will be couriered to schools next week. Each school will receive, via the courier services, an appropriate number of teacher and learner booklets in the language of learning and teaching at the school for these Learning Areas.
2. It is expected that the CTAs for Economic and Management Sciences (EMS) and Arts and Culture (AC) will be delivered via the courier service in the week of 17 October 2005.
3. It is envisaged that the final delivery of the CTAs will take place at the end of October 2005.
4. The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) would have preferred to deliver all the CTAs to schools prior to the commencement of the fourth term, but there have been unfortunate and unavoidable delays in receiving the documents, which were set nationally, for printing.
5. Printing and packing the required 14 million pages is a lengthy process. The WCED has therefore decided to deliver the CTAs to schools in three batches, so that learners are not faced with the prospect of completing the CTAs in all 8 Learning Areas in the month of November.
6. Principals are therefore advised to ensure that teachers of MMLMS and Life Orientation commence with the conduct of the CTAs soon after they are received. Likewise, the teachers of EMS and Arts & Culture should plan to conduct the CTAs shortly after delivery in the week of 17 October 2005. All other CTAs must be conducted in the month of November.
7. The WCED wishes to apologise for the inconvenience caused by the late delivery of the CTAs. It is hoped that teachers and learners will, nevertheless, find value in engaging with the CTAs, which set a common standard for Grade 9 learners across the country.
8. Principals are reminded that the Assessment Policy of 1998, which regulates progression and promotion, determines that 25% of the Grade 9 assessment must be an externally set and/or moderated component. The CTAs comply with this requirement, as they have been externally set and moderated by Umalusi, the General and Further Education and Training Quality Assurance Body.
9. Schools will be required to include both the continuous assessment (CASS) marks and the marks from the CTAs on the mark sheets to be sent out by the Examinations Directorate.
10. Kindly note that the matter is being addressed at the highest level to ensure that this situation does not re-occur in future years. Your understanding, support and co-operation in this matter is greatly appreciated.


SIGNED: JP RAULT-SMITH
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2005:10:07