1. This minute supersedes the Curriculum Development Minute 0052/2007, which dealt with the status of the Mathematics Paper 3 examination at Grade 12 level.
2. The assessment standards of Mathematics, as stipulated in the policy document, Subject Statement for Mathematics, are divided into core assessment standards and optional assessment standards.
3. The optional assessment standards are currently examined by means of an optional examination, Mathematics Paper 3. It was earlier anticipated that the optional assessment standards would become compulsory from 2011 for all candidates offering Mathematics.
4. However, after careful consideration, the national Department of Education has decided that the optional assessment standards will not be made compulsory in Grade 12 within the foreseeable future.
5. In view of this, Mathematics Question Paper 3 remains optional.
6. Schools are, nevertheless, encouraged to offer tuition in Mathematics Paper 3 to learners who wish to broaden their knowledge of mathematics.
7. You are kindly requested to bring this notice to the attention of all Mathematics teachers of Grades 10 to 12, as well as the learners in those grades.


SIGNED: T SINGH
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2009:03:30