| 1.1 |
Among the primary objectives of the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) are the building of solid foundations in literacy and numeracy in primary schools, so as to improve learner pass rates. To this end, a number of key provincial interventions have been implemented. |
| 1.2 |
One of these interventions is the WCED’s Literacy and Numeracy Intervention, which involves the participation of all teachers of Grades 1 to 6 who teach Languages and Mathematics in all public primary schools. |
| 1.3 |
Your school has been selected to participate in Phase 3 of this intervention, which runs from 25 June 2013 until 30 June 2015. |
| 2. |
WCED Literacy and Numeracy Intervention for Grades 1 to 6 |
| 2.1 |
The intervention spans an 8-year period, from 2008 until 2016. It is being rolled out in 4 phases, involving approximately 250 schools per phase. Each phase takes 2 years to complete and includes continual training, support, mentoring and coaching in Language and Mathematics. |
| 2.2 |
The intervention makes use of the expertise of specialists in Language and Mathematics teaching, in collaboration with trained WCED curriculum advisers. |
| 2.3 |
The intervention is aimed at enhancing the teaching of Languages and Mathematics through the use of methodologies that have been researched and proven to be effective in all contexts, thereby increasing all learners’ chances of success. |
| 2.4 |
To date, training and support have been given to 250 Phase 1 schools (from June 2009 to June 2011) and 258 Phase 2 schools (from June 2011 continuing through to June 2013). An external evaluation of the effects of the intervention by the Joint Education Trust indicates a positive change in the attitude of teachers towards these subjects, while preliminary analyses of the 2012 Annual National Assessments and the WCED’s Systemic Test results have identified upward trends. |
| 3. |
Phase 3 implementation (June-July 2013 to June-July 2015) |
| 3.1 |
Teacher training for Phase 3 will take place during the 2013 June-July school holidays – over 5 days of the period 24 June and 5 July 2013. Your school will attend one of the training weeks. Schools are therefore requested to reserve these dates. |
| 3.2 |
Logistical details of the June-July 2013 training will follow in due course. |
| 3.3 |
Information sessions will be conducted with all Phase 3 schools and your district office will notify you about the dates and venue for these sessions. Please note that these are extremely important sessions as they lay the foundation for the next 2 years. |
| 4. |
The improvement of learners’ Languages and Mathematics is crucial to all phases and facets of education. We therefore hope that your school will welcome this unique opportunity to contribute to ensuring that all learners in our province are able to read, write and calculate at the required levels. |
| 5. |
Kindly ensure that the content of this minute is brought to the immediate attention of all teachers, school management and the school governing body. |
SIGNED: BK SCHREUDER
DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL: CURRICULUM & ASSESSMENT MANAGEMENT
DATE: 2013:03:11
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