1. The Western Cape Education Department is committed to ensuring the maximum and best use of teaching and learning time, especially during assessment and examination periods.

2. All school- and education district office staff are requested to note the following:
2.1 It is the responsibility of each school to plan its school programme for the period during and after the examinations until the last day of the school term, and to inform all learners, parents and district offices accordingly.
2.2 Schools which offer Grades 4 to 11 are reminded that no examinations may start before 6 June and 18 November 2011. All learners are required to attend school throughout the examinations period, with the exception of Grade 12 learners, who will be entitled to 5 days of study only before the start of the final National Senior Certificate examinations.
2.3 Primary schools may not block off an examination period, and all assessments must be conducted as part of the normal school programme. Primary schools are, therefore, not allowed to close earlier during these periods.
2.4 Schools may not inform learners that it is the learners' decision whether or not to come to school after the examinations have ended for the term or when they are not writing tests or examinations.
2.5 All teachers are expected to be at school for the full school day every day during this period (35 hours per week), irrespective of whether they have invigilation duties or not.
2.6 Education district officials will monitor the implementation of these directives. Principals and school governing bodies are requested to pay special attention to the development of their programmes for the periods referred to, so that valuable time for learning is not lost.


SIGNED: JH LYNERS
DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL: INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND CO-ORDINATION
DATE: 2011:05:31