| 1.1 |
The National Policy for Assessment and Qualifications for Schools in the GET Band (Gazette 29626 of 12 February 2007) determines that the CTA will have two parts. The first part (Section A) is a performance-based task of different activities. The second part is a pen-and-paper test (Section B), to be written under controlled conditions. The policy further determines that the Department of Education will manage the development of the CTA and set the national timetable for the administration of Section B of the CTA.
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| 1.2 |
The CTA is administered in the 4th term of the academic year and is the only formal assessment task that is recorded for that term. In terms of the Government Gazette, learners at public and independent schools that follow the NCS and offer Grade 9 must complete both the CASS and CTA (Section A and Section B) components. Section B, the pen-and-paper test, will be written over two hours for each Learning Area.
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| 1.3 |
Teachers are expected to mark Section B as part of their administration of the assessment programme for Grade 9.
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| 1.4 |
The attached timetable (Annexure B) for the administration of Section B of the CTA has taken into consideration the physical constraints in schools in terms of the Grade 11 and 12 examinations. The administration of the Grade 9 CTA is scheduled at times that will not impact or conflict with these examinations. The attached timetable further ensures that learners are kept at school as late as possible in the year, so that Grade 9 learners do not lose curriculum time by leaving school before the official end of the academic year. Learners will write this test in their classrooms as part of the normal school day.
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| 1.5 |
The CTA will be administered in schools from 12 November 2007 to 23 November 2007.
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| 1.6 |
In the interest of equity and fairness, the CTAs must remain confidential prior to the conduct thereof. Principals are therefore requested to give teachers access to the CTAs as soon as they are received, but to ensure that teachers respect the pre-conduct confidentiality of the documents.
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| 1.7 |
In terms of Government Gazette 29626 of 12 February 2007, the promotion of all learners is dependent on the results of the CASS and CTA. The requirements for promotion are clearly stated in the gazette.
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| 2. |
Registration for the CTAs
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| 2.1 |
The CEMIS registration numbers will be used for the distribution of the CTAs. If there are Grade 9 learners at your school who have not been registered on CEMIS, please ensure that they are registered immediately, otherwise your school will not receive sufficient copies of the CTAs. Due to the Gr 11 and 12 examinations running concurrently, the WCED will not be able to send extra copies of the CTA.
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| 2.2 |
Queries regarding the registration of learners can be directed to Mr L van Gensen at 021 467 2976 or Mr L van Harte at 021 467 2965, or by e-mail to lvgensen@pgwc.gov.za
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| 3. |
Queries regarding the delivery of the CTAs can be directed to Mr C Berry at 021 467 2265 or 021 467 2954, or by e-mail to cberry@pgwc.gov.za
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| 4. |
Adaptation of the CTAs
All the CTAs are being adapted by a team of teachers (identified by the national Department of Education) who are specialists in dealing with barriers to learning. DoE will print and distribute these CTAs to the relevant schools.
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| 5.1 |
The CTAs will be delivered to schools in the fourth term.
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| 5.2 |
Schools are requested 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.
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| 5.3 |
Maps will be sent to schools as soon as they are received from the printers. Schools should note that the maps supplied should be retained for future use as resources.
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| 6.1 |
This year, as in 2006, a master CD with all the information and instructions about the Grade 9 data capturing, as well as the electronic MS Excel version, which helps with the calculations, is being developed. EMDC assessment co-ordinators will run meetings in August and September during which the CD will be handed to each school and training on how to use the CD will be given.
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| 6.2 |
A CD or a copy on a memory stick, together with a hard copy of the completed recording sheets and schedule, - as provided on the master CD - must be submitted to the circuit manager who will be signing the Grade 9 schedule at the end of the year. Hard copies and electronic copies of this information must be kept in the school archives.
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| 6.3 |
This process must be completed in time for the final schedule signing visits by the circuit manager that will take place before 4 December 2007. The results supplied will be used to submit promotion data to the national Department of Education.
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| 6.4 |
Principals should note that the Excel data sheets do not replace the promotion schedule, which is to be completed manually or electronically for submission to the multi-functional team of the EMDC in the normal way.
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| 6.5 |
Attached to this minute are the names and contact details of the EMDC assessment co-ordinators and Head Office examination staff (Annexure A) who may be asked for assistance and support.
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| 7. |
The EMDCs will manage the moderation process according to their advertised schedules of dates. All CTAs that have been completed and assessed prior to the scheduled moderation dates should be brought to the moderation clusters.
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| 8. |
Schools are hereby invited to comment on the CTA. Comments based on the questions attached to this minute (Annexure C) can be e-mailed to hevanzyl@pgwc.gov.za or faxed to Mrs H van Zyl at 021 467 2258.
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| 9. |
Schools are asked to bring the contents of this curriculum minute to the attention of all concerned so that teachers, learners and parents will be aware of the CTAs being conducted in the fourth quarter.
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| 10. |
Your co-operation in the above matters will be appreciated.
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SIGNED: M. CAMERON
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2007:08:12
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