| 1.1 |
This minute replaces Assessment Management Minute 0016/2010, and serves to clarify the National Policy Pertaining to the Programme and Promotion Requirements of the National Curriculum Statement Grades R – 12, which stipulates the management of subject changes in Grades 10, 11 and 12 from 2013 onwards. |
| 1.2 |
The process for all subject changes in Grades 10 to 12 must be included in the school assessment policy. Any subject change in Grade 12 must be avoided, unless it is absolutely necessary and in the best interest of the learner concerned. |
| 1.3 |
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) is committed to ensuring full compliance to the subject changes policy and to finalising the NSC examination registrations before 15 March of each year. |
| 1.4 |
Principals are urged to ensure at the beginning of each year that all Grade 10, 11 and 12 learners are correctly registered on the Central Education Management and Information System (CEMIS). |
| 2. |
Grade 12 subject changes |
| 2.1 |
In exceptional cases, a learner may change one subject in Grade 12, provided that this is done before 31 January of each year. |
| 2.2 |
The application for a subject change in Grade 12 must be done online on the CEMIS and the following documents must be sent, via the assessment co-ordinator at the district office, to the Directorate: Assessment Management, marked "For attention: A Jantjies, Room 5-30": |
| 2.2.1 |
A letter of motivation from the learner’s parent or guardian |
| 2.2.2 |
A letter from the principal, either supporting or providing reasons for not supporting the change |
| 2.2.3 |
A letter from the subject teacher, outlining the programme to be followed to assist the learner to cover those aspects of the curriculum for the previous grade that were not completed |
| 2.3 |
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) is also concerned about the number of requests for subject changes, especially from Mathematics to Mathematical Literacy in Grade 12 each year. In most instances, these requests are the result of not updating subject changes on the CEMIS during the learners’ Grades 10 and 11 years. |
| 3. |
Grades 10 and 11 subject changes |
| 3.1 |
From 2013 onwards, the closing date for subject changes in Grade 10 is 31 July of each year. A maximum of two subject changes is allowed. |
| 3.2 |
From 2013 onwards, the closing date for subject changes in Grade 11 will be 28 February of each year. A maximum of two subject changes is allowed. |
| 3.3 |
A change of a subject in Grade 10 and 11 is subject to the approval of the principal of the school where the learner is registered. Schools must effect their subject changes on the CEMIS once approval from the principal has been given. Schools must obtain all documentary evidence for each application, as explained in 2.2 above, and in the case of Grade 11 they must provide the evidence to the assessment co-ordinator at the district office. |
| 3.4 |
Principals must sign off the Grade 10 and 11 registration schedules on the CEMIS by 31 August each year. A copy of the Grade 10 and 11 CEMIS registration schedules must be submitted to the IMG manager before the end of the third term. |
| 3.5 |
When IMG managers visit schools for progression and promotion during the fourth term, they must ensure that the promotion schedules for Grades 10 and 11 in each school correspond with the CEMIS registrations of the school. Principals must therefore also provide IMG managers during their visits with a list of the Grade 10 and 11 CEMIS registrations. |
| 4. |
Subject change requests and school-based assessment requirements |
| 4.1 |
School principals are to note that the Grade 10 to 12 learners of 2013 are required to comply fully with the SBA requirements of the new subject. |
| 4.2 |
It is important that principals provide proper guidance to candidates and parents with regard to subject changes. |
| 5. |
A learner in Grade 10, 11 or 12 who encounters learning difficulties owing to a subject change, cannot hold the WCED responsible for changing a subject. |
| 6. |
Principals and education district officials are requested to bring the contents of this minute to the attention of staff, parents and learners. |
SIGNED: BK SCHREUDER
DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL: CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT MANAGEMENT
DATE: 2012:11:12
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