1. At the beginning of the 2012 academic year, the national Department of Basic Education (DBE) distributed Grades R to 9 workbooks, Grades 10 to 12 Mathematics and Physical Sciences textbooks, and CAPS documents to all public schools.

2. An official letter, dated 14 December 2011, was written to all public school principals, stating that workbooks and textbooks are core resources and must be used daily in the classroom to complete tasks based on the lessons taught. However, from monitoring reports received, it is evident that some schools have recognised neither the purpose nor the value of these resources provided to them.

3. All districts and schools should note the following:

  • It would be beneficial for public schools to use DBE supplied workbooks, textbooks and CAPS documents.
  • It would be beneficial to complete all the tasks in the workbooks (Books 1 and 2) before writing the end-of-year examinations.
  • Workbooks for Grades R to 9 are provided free of charge to all learners in all public schools.
  • The Physical Sciences and Mathematics textbooks have been provided to all schools for Grades 10 to 12 and contain many exercises that should be done in all classrooms.
  • The workbooks and Grades 10 to 12 Physical Sciences and Mathematics textbooks can also be downloaded and read on computers and cellphones.
4. Curriculum advisers will monitor and guide teachers on the use of these DBE supplied resources.

5. Kindly bring the contents of this minute to the attention of all teachers.


SIGNED: BK SCHREUDER
DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL: CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT MANAGEMENT
DATE: 2012:06:19