1. As indicated in Human Resource Development Minute 0003/2007, the national Department of Education (DoE) has initiated a process for the development of the professional requirements for school principals. This process included the registering of a qualification, the Advanced Certificate in Education: School Leadership (ACE: SL), by Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) with the Council for Higher Education (CHE).
2. The University of the Western Cape (UWC), University of Cape Town (UCT) and the University of Stellenbosch (US) have been awarded provisional accreditation from the CHE and will be delivering the two-year part-time programme in the Western Cape.
3. The intention of the ACE: SL is to assist schools to become learning sites where quality education is delivered, through the development of education leaders who have a critical understanding of school leadership and management within democratic transformation.
4. Although the programme will eventually be for educators aspiring to be principals, current principals, especially newly appointed principals, are also encouraged to apply to be part of the programme. Annexure A gives more information regarding this programme.
5. The first cohort of students began their studies this year. For the second phase of this ACE programme, a total of 190 students will be accommodated in the second intake in January 2008. Full bursaries will be awarded to those students selected for the second intake.
6. The selection of students will depend on the areas that can be serviced by the three HEIs (UWC, UCT and US) in the Western Cape, since part of the programme requires lecturers to render support to students at their schools.
7. Serving principals, deputy principals and heads of department who wish to be part of the programme are requested to complete Annexures B and C and forward their application on or before Friday, 2 November 2007, to 
The Head: Education
For attention: Mr G de Bruyn (Room 8-78)
Directorate: Human Capital Development
Western Cape Education Department
Private Bag X9114
CAPE TOWN
8000
8. Please bring the contents of this minute to the attention of all concerned.


SIGNED: E. KIRSTEN
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2007:10:23

Annexure A  (size: 12 KB)
Annexure B  (size: 63 KB)
Annexure C  (size: 46 KB)