1. In an effort to improve teaching and learning in Life Sciences, the Western Cape Education Department is implementing the above project, which consists of the following aspects:
1.1 Basic apparatus, equipment and chemicals will be provided to certain identified schools to give learners the opportunity to conduct practical investigations and to be able to design and execute their own investigations.
1.2 The teachers teaching the subject in the identified schools will have to attend a compulsory training session on how to utilise, secure and maintain the apparatus, equipment and chemicals. The training will include the following aspects: organisation of apparatus, laboratory organisation, recording and monitoring, and maintaining and securing the apparatus, equipment and chemicals. Details about the compulsory training session will be available during the fourth term.

The decentralised training sessions for the teachers involved will be organised as follows:

EDUCATION DISTRICT DATE
Metro East and Metro North24 January 2009
Cape Winelands and West Coast (Worcester)31 January 2009
Metro South and Metro Central 07 February 2009
Eden & Central Karoo and Overberg (Oudtshoorn)14 February 2009

1.3 The principal of the school will be responsible for the safe keeping, maintenance and monitoring of the apparatus, equipment and chemicals. The apparatus, equipment and chemicals will be delivered during the fourth term, from October until the end of November 2008, to the identified schools.
1.4 The principal and head of department/subject head must check the items delivered and sign for the apparatus, equipment and chemicals. Thereafter these items must be entered on an inventory and safely secured. The curriculum advisers in each education district will also monitor the delivery process where possible.

2. Teachers are encouraged to use the apparatus, equipment and chemicals optimally. This is an exciting opportunity to teach the subject in such an authentic and relevant way, ensuring that the learners' subject knowledge and skills are optimally developed.
3. Principals must ensure that all Life Sciences teachers receive a copy of this minute.

SIGNED: SM NAICKER
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2008:10:03

Specifications of Equipment / Apparatus / Chemicals  (size: 38 KB)
List of identified schools  (size: 19 KB)