1. TIMETABLING
1.1 Schools offering the following Arts subjects in the FET band need to ensure that they timetable according to the special needs of these subjects:

  • Dance Studies
  • Dramatic Arts
  • Design
  • Music
  • Visual Arts
1.2 In the case of Arts subjects, there is a need for longer periods or double periods. Learners in Dance Studies and Dramatic Arts require sufficient time in which to change into the required clothing and to warm up sufficiently so that they are able to participate safely in physical dance or drama activities. Visual Arts and Design learners need time to put out equipment and materials, participate in arts activities and clean up afterwards. Grades 10 to 12 Music learners must be timetabled for individual tuition, in addition to a normal class time of at least 50 minutes per learner per week.
1.3 Where difficulties are experienced with providing double periods, Arts subjects could be timetabled

  • at the beginning of the day, so that learners can arrive earlier; or
  • before or after breaks, so that periods can be extended into breaks; or
  • at the end of the day, so that the periods continue after school.

This should be explained in writing to learners who select the Arts subjects, and also to their parents. Furthermore, the additional teaching time required of Arts teachers should be acknowledged by providing them with free periods where possible, or by reducing their after-school responsibilities.
1.4 It is strongly recommended that schools offering the Arts subjects in the FET band implement the specific learning pathways in Arts and Culture in Grades 8 and 9. This is essential for the teaching of the basic skills required at the Grade 10 entry level. Special learning programmes have been designed to guide the implementation of specific learning pathways. These learning programmes are available on the Web at http://curriculum.pgwc.gov.za/site/32/res/view/715
1.5 To timetable for specific learning pathways, schools should either divide the Grade 8 and 9 classes according to the choice of art form, or timetable the Arts and Culture periods in a block so that learners from all the Grade 8 or 9 classes attend their Arts subject classes at the same time.
1.6 Additional specialised or non-specialised teachers could teach generic Arts and Culture to learners who do not intend selecting an Arts subject in the FET band.
1.7 Since it is not possible in the two hours per week allocated to Arts and Culture to prepare Grades 8 and 9 learners for more than one art form, learners who are interested in selecting two art forms as subjects for FET should be catered for in after-school classes.

2. CLASS SIZES
2.1 Owing to the practical component in some of the Arts subjects, and also in the interests of safety and manageability, it is necessary to limit the numbers of learners in each class. The following class sizes apply equally to all schools offering Arts subjects in the FET band, including the Arts and Culture focus schools:

  • Dance Studies - maximum of 20 learners;
  • Dramatic Arts - maximum of 20 learners;
  • Design - maximum of 20 learners;
  • Music - maximum of 10 learners;
  • Visual Arts - maximum of 25 learners.
2.2 Learners who wish to select Dance Studies, Dramatic Arts or Music subjects in Grade 10 must be auditioned and interviewed. Learners should also be carefully selected for Visual Arts and Design. The selection process must be fair and transparent.


SIGNED: SM NAICKER
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2009:06:12