1. The Subject Assessment Guideline documents for all subjects have been finalised and are available on the Department of Education’s web site at http://www.education.gov.za. The English version has been provided to all the EMDCs for distribution to schools. The national Department of Education is in the process of translating these documents into Afrikaans and these should be ready during January and February 2006.
2. The National Protocol on Assessment for Schools in the General and Further Education and Training Band (Grades R – 12) has also been finalised and provided to EMDCs for distribution to schools. It is also available on the WCED curriculum web site at http://curriculum.wcape.school.za. This document, to be gazetted soon, serves to regulate recording and reporting of assessment in all schools and should be implemented in all schools as from January 2006.
3. In addition to the above documents, two other important FET NCS policy documents have also been provided to the EMDCs for distribution. They are the National Senior Certificate: A Qualification at Level 4 on the NQF and the Minimum Admission Requirements for Higher Certificate, Diploma and Bachelor’s Degree Programmes requiring a National Senior Certificate.
4. The subject assessment guideline documents, as well as the National Protocol on Assessment, will be mediated with teachers during the first term of 2006 within EMDC district context.
5. The Minimum Subject Package Guide for each FET NCS subject, drafted and distributed in 2003, has been reviewed and updated. The purpose of this document is to guide principals and teachers as to what learning, teaching and physical resources their schools need in order to implement the respective subjects effectively. The revised version is available in both English and Afrikaans on the WCED curriculum web site, http://curriculum.wcape.school.za.
6. A document exploring opportunities for ICT integration into the FET NCS subjects has also been drafted. This document will be translated and be available shortly on the WCED curriculum website at http://curriculum.wcape.school.za Constructive feedback to this document will be most welcome. Your comments may be sent to Mr T Smit by e-mailing him at tcessmit@pgwc.gov.za
7. A guideline document for evaluation and selection of suitable learning and teaching support materials has been compiled and will shortly be available on the WCED curriculum website at http://curriculum.wcape.school.za
8. MST strategy: The purpose of this strategy is to increase participation and improve performance in Mathematics Higher Grade and Physical Science Higher Grade. The number of dedicated Mathematics and Physical Science (Dinaledi) schools has been increased from the original 10 to 40 schools. An additional 10 WCED MST focus schools have been selected.
9. Focus Schools: The purpose of these schools is to nurture talent. Twenty-eight schools have been selected and approved as focus schools for Arts & Culture; Business, Commerce & Management; and Engineering & Technology.
10. Geographic Information Systems (GIS): This software enables the user to visualise, explore, query and analyse data spatially by making use of technology. This is a compulsory electronic component in the FET NCS Geography curriculum. All schools that will be offering Geography in Grade 10 in 2006 will be receiving GIS software that will be installed in their schools. Geography teachers will then be trained in the use of GIS software.
11. Schools have been informed that their subject choices for Grade 10 in 2006 have been either approved or conditionally approved. Where necessary, EMDCs will do the necessary follow-up with schools. There are still a number of schools that have not submitted their subject choices for 2006. The principals of these schools must submit these immediately to the Chief Curriculum Adviser of their EMDC.
12. The FET NCS will be implemented in Grade 10 next year. Teachers should be in possession of the following documents for the subjects they teach:

  • Subject statement

  • Learning programme guidelines

  • Subject assessment guidelines.

  • Analysis of new knowledge, skills, methodology, IT & assessment

  • Subject information overview

  • Minimum subject package guide

  • National Protocol on Assessment for Schools in the General and Further Education and Training Band (Grades R – 12)
13. Teachers should also have access too, and be au fait with the content and context of the National Senior Certificate: A Qualification at Level 4 on the NQF and Minimum Admission Requirements for Higher Certificate, Diploma and Bachelor’s Degree Programmes requiring a National Senior Certificate.
14. In Curriculum Development Minute 0081/2005 principal’s were requested to submit names of those teachers, and new incumbents, who require subject orientation from 9 to 12 January 2006. The responses received do not warrant provincial organised orientation courses due to the cost factors involved. Information received from schools will however be distributed to EMDCs to arrange for appropriate orientation workshops. In addition, these teachers should attend the next phase of subject-based workshops that will take place during the June – July school holidays in 2006.
15. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all Grade 10-12 teachers for their commitment and hard work during 2005 and wish them well in the implementation of the FET NCS in Grade 10 next year. We wish to give the assurance that appropriate support from the EMDCs will be provided to enhance successful implementation of the FET NCS in Grade 10 in 2006.


SIGNED: J.P. RAULT-SMITH
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2005:11:29