1. Applications are invited from teachers, curriculum advisers and senior curriculum planners who would like to serve as chief markers, deputy chief markers and internal moderators for the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations of November 2010 until the March 2012 supplementary examinations. The list of NSC subjects and question papers in Annexure A includes positions that are being readvertised.
2. Criteria for the appointment of chief markers, deputy chief markers and internal moderators
2.1 Applicants must be in possession of a recognised three-year post Senior Certificate qualification, which must include the relevant subject at second-year, but preferably third-year, level.
2.2 Applicants must have a minimum of 8 years teaching experience and at least 5 years experience in teaching the subject concerned at Grade 12 level. They must also have taught the subject for at least two of the following years: 2008, 2009 and 2010. However, preference will be given to teachers currently teaching the National Curriculum Statement to Grade 12 candidates.
2.3 Applicants must be in service at institutions that prepare candidates for the NSC examinations set by the Department of Basic Education (DBE).
2.4 In order to improve the quality of marking and to ensure that learners are not disadvantaged, the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) will only consider those applicants who have a proven track record of excellent results in their subject(s) in the 2008 and 2009 NSC examinations.
2.5 Only applicants with an achievement of a minimum pass rate of 60% in the subject concerned will be considered for appointment in 2010 and beyond.
2.6 Applicants who apply to mark Paper 2 (Literature) in the Languages must have read and made a study of all works prescribed for the examination, and not only those books studied by the candidates at their own schools.
2.7 In the case of deputy chief markers, applicants must have at least 5 years' experience as a marker in the subject for which an application is being made. Experience as a senior marker will be an added advantage.
2.8 In the case of internal moderators, experience as a moderator, deputy chief marker or chief marker in previous years is a requirement.
2.9 In the case of chief markers, experience as a moderator, chief marker or deputy chief marker in previous years is a requirement. Preference will be given to teachers currently teaching the subject in Grade 12.
2.10 Applicants who have indicated their intention to resign or retire, and who will terminate their services with the WCED by 30 September 2010, will not be considered for appointment as moderator, chief marker or deputy chief marker, except in cases where the teacher concerned is joining a independent school whose candidates write the NSC examinations of the DBE.
2.11 Applicants who intend to retire by 30 September 2011 will have to inform the WCED timeously.
2.12 A person, who is on leave during the period leading up to the marking period and inclusive thereof, will have their appointment as a moderator, chief marker or deputy chief marker terminated. A person who, by the end of the year, had been on leave for more than 50 days, will also have their appointment terminated.
2.13 Persons who have a relative (i.e. son, daughter, brother or sister) or a candidate for the 2010 NSC examinations living with them and who will be writing the NSC examination in the subject for which application is being considered, do not qualify for appointment. (Where such a relative or candidate will be writing the NSC examinations in 2011 in the subject for which application is made, the applicant must declare this in advance. If appointed, such applicants will have to recuse themselves during the December 2011 and March 2012 marking periods.)
2.14 To ensure a high standard of marking, all successful applicants will be subjected to a competency assessment.
2.15 The WCED will terminate the appointment of any appointed person who does not perform satisfactorily in the execution of his or her responsibilities during any of the above-mentioned marking periods.
2.16 The final decision as to the appointment of internal moderators, chief markers and deputy chief markers rests with the Superintendent-General of the WCED.
3. Heads of institutions are requested to encourage teachers who fulfil the above requirements to apply for the positions of chief markers, deputy chief markers or internal moderators.
4. The Department will appoint one moderator, one chief marker and one deputy chief marker in each subject with a large number of enrolments.
5. Submission of applications
5.1 All applications must be made on the attached application form (Annexure B) and must be accompanied by the following:
  • A covering letter in which the applicant gives his or her reasons for applying for the position
  • A completed Declaration Form, a copy of which is attached to this minute as (Annexure C)
  • 5.2 All new applicants must attach the following documents to their application forms:
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Certified copy of identity document
  • Certified copy/copies of academic study record(s)
  • Certified copy/copies of qualification certificate(s)
  • 5.3 Applications must be submitted to the following address:

    Head: Education
    Attention: Mr N. Riddles
    Directorate: Examinations Administration
    Western Cape Education Department
    4th Floor Grand Central Towers
    Lower Parliament Street
    CAPE TOWN
    8000

    Applications must reach the WCED by 30 July 2010. Should you have any enquiries, please contact Mr M Cameron at tel. no. 021 467 2964 or Mr N Riddles at tel. no. 021 467 2992.

    6. Successful applicants will be notified in writing of their appointments and will be required to sign a contract with the WCED. Further correspondence regarding the marking process will then follow.
    7. The attached acknowledgement of receipt (Annexure D) of this minute must be completed by the school principal or centre manager and returned to the Department upon receipt of this minute. Principals are requested to bring this minute to the attention of their staff so that they are familiar with the appointment criteria before submitting applications.
    8. The WCED relies on your co-operation and support on this important matter.


    SIGNED: BK SCHREUDER
    HEAD: EDUCATION
    DATE: 2010-07-15

    Annexure A: List of NSC subjects and question papers  (size: 40 KB)
    Annexure B: Application form  (size: 40 KB)
    Annexure C: Declaration form  (size: 37 KB)
    Annexure D: Acknowledgement of receipt  (size: 36 KB)