The Grade 9 assessment in 2005 will follow a similar format to last year as far as Section A is concerned. There will be no Section B. The attention of principals is pertinently drawn to the following:
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In accordance with Government Gazette 25699 of 7 November 2003 [size: 515 KB], learners at public, independent and private schools and all other institutions that follow the WCED curriculum and offer Grade 9 cannot be promoted unless these institutions have conformed to this regulation. No institution can therefore be exempted from the assessment procedure.
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| 1.2 |
The Minister of Education, Ms Naledi Pandor, has approved a deviation from Section 17 of the Framework for the Assessment and Promotion of learners in Grade 9 (2003).This means that, for 2005, the CTA will not have a Section B to be completed. There will only be Section A-type tasks that have to be completed over an extended period – 5 hours each for Primary Languages (LLC), Natural Sciences (NS), Mathematical Literacy, Mathematics and Mathematical Sciences (MLMMS), and 4 hours for each of the other learning areas. Schools will be required to complete the CTAs during the fourth term.
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| 2. |
Promotion
As in 2004, schools will still be responsible for the promotion of learners and the issuing of report cards. The promotion mark is composed of 25% for the Common Tasks for Assessment (CTAs) (Section A) and 75% for the school-based assessment.
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| 3. |
Common Tasks for Assessment
CTAs will again be provided to schools this year. Delivery to schools of section A of the CTA is planned for the third term. CTAs must be completed during November. Please note that, on account of this change, no national timetable will be provided for the administration of the CTA 2005. All schools, however, are to complete a timetable indicating precisely when the CTA in each learning area will be conducted. CTAs can be conducted during normal lesson periods. A copy of this timetable must be forwarded to the chief curriculum advisor in your EMDC. The EMDC will be undertaking moderation of a selection of learning areas and schools. All schools will be informed by the EMDC of plans for moderation.
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| 4. |
Registration forms
The registration forms for grade 9 learners, which have already been supplied to schools, should have been submitted by 18 March 2005. Principals are reminded that institutions are legally obliged to make the Grade 9 assessment part of their planning processes and to ensure that forms are submitted by the return dates.
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| 5. |
Assessment measures
The importance of the safe-keeping of assessment question papers cannot be over-emphasised. It is therefore of the utmost importance that all possible safety precautions be taken when the question papers are stored. Under no circumstances may question papers be removed from the school premises before or during the assessment, or discussed with learners. Offences such as these could have serious consequences for the school and the WCED and bring the integrity of these assessments into question.
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| 6. |
Mark sheets
Mark sheets will be provided in the course of the year. Progression (Promotion) schedules for Grade 9 learners will be supplied to schools and must be returned to the Directorate: Examinations for the attention of Mr L Samuels, by Friday, 2 December 2005. Failure to return mark sheets by the stipulated date will be regarded in a serious light.
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Your co-operation will be appreciated.
SIGNED: A.P. CLAUSEN
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2005:06:03
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