| 1. |
The Regulations pertaining to the National Curriculum Statement Grades R – 12, which were published in the Government Gazette No. 36041 of 28 December 2012, make provision for a final promotion mark for Life Orientation based on internal assessment, which must be externally moderated, as well as a common assessment task (CAT) which is externally set and moderated. This is clearly stipulated in Regulations 7(5) and implies that all schools must write the CAT for Life Orientation. |
| 2. |
The aim of this minute is to inform schools of the procedure to be followed in the administration of the CAT for Life Orientation. |
| 3. |
The date for the writing of the CAT is 4 September 2013, from 09:00 to 10:30, and schools are required to write and mark the CAT as prescribed in this minute. |
| 4. |
The Life Orientation CAT will consist of a 1½ hour paper totalling 75 marks. It will replace Task 4 in the Grade 12 Life Orientation programme of assessment that was scheduled to be written in Term 3, and will constitute 20% of the total mark for Life Orientation. |
| 5. |
To inform themselves of what to expect in the CAT, schools are advised to refer to the exemplar and the assessment guidelines which were sent to all schools in May 2012. |
| 6. |
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) will manage the printing and distribution of the CAT question paper to all schools. |
| 7.1 |
With regard to the writing of the CAT, the principal, as Chief Examinations Officer, must ensure that the rules for the writing of the National Senior Certificate examinations are followed. |
| 7.2 |
Principals must open the envelopes in the presence of the learners and oversee the distribution of the question papers. |
| 7.3 |
Principals must ensure that invigilators are vigilant during the writing of the CAT. |
| 7.4 |
After the writing of the CAT, the scripts must be sealed in the bag provided and returned to the school principal for safe-keeping. |
| 8. |
Marking guideline discussions |
| 8.1 |
National and provincial discussions on the marking guidelines will take place during September 2013. |
| 8.2 |
The final marking guidelines will be sent to schools by 6 September 2013. |
| 9.1 |
Marking of the CAT will be conducted at school level under the supervision of the school principal, with the senior teacher or head of department (HOD) acting as internal moderator. |
| 9.2 |
The marking must commence on 9 September 2013 and must be completed by 16 September 2013. |
| 9.3 |
The provincial moderation of the CAT for Life Orientation will take place on 19 September 2013. |
| 9.4 |
Scripts must be removed from the strong room only by the school principal on the day marking begins. |
| 9.5 |
Where there is more than one teacher of Life Orientation at the school, please ensure that the teachers do not mark the scripts of their own learners. |
| 10. |
School and district moderation of scripts |
| 10.1 |
The CAT must be moderated at school level. |
| 10.2 |
The principal must ensure that at least 10% of the marked scripts are moderated by the senior teacher or HOD. |
| 10.3 |
After the scripts have been moderated, the marks must be recorded on the mark sheet provided to the school. |
| 10.4 |
The curriculum adviser for Life Orientation in the education district is required to moderate a sample of scripts from selected schools. A 10% sample per class is recommended. |
| 11. |
Capturing of common assessment task marks |
| 11.1 |
A special mark sheet will be provided to schools for the capturing of the CAT marks. |
| 11.2 |
The mark sheets for CAT must be sent to the WCED like any mark sheet of the school-based assessment. |
| 12. |
Principals are kindly requested to make the necessary arrangements for the conduct of this assessment. |
| 13. |
Kindly bring this information to the attention of all Life Orientation teachers and learners. |
SIGNED: BK SCHREUDER
DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL: CURRICULUM & ASSESSMENT MANAGEMENT
DATE: 2013:07:04
|
 |