| 1.1 |
The last Senior Certificate examination based on the policy document, A résumé of instructional programmes in schools (Report 550), which allowed learners with incomplete Senior Certificate credits as well as adult learners 21 years and older an opportunity to achieve a senior certificate, was conducted in June 2014. |
| 1.2 |
However, based on the need for a qualification for adults that is equivalent to the current National Senior Certificate (NSC), the Minister of Basic Education has approved the revision of the current Senior Certificate qualification such that it can be offered by learners who will have no alternative route to follow post June 2014. |
| 1.3 |
The amended Senior Certificate retains its qualification structure but will utilise the National Curriculum Statement (NCS) subjects to support the qualification. This implies that the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statements (CAPS) subjects will be offered as part of the amended Senior Certificate. |
| 1.4 |
The first examination based on the amended Senior Certificate will be written in June/July 2015. All Senior Certificate subjects that were passed prior to June 2015, at Higher Grade and Standard Grade levels, excluding Lower Grade conversions, will be recognised. |
| 2. |
Admission to the amended Senior Certificate |
| 2.1 |
The following categories of learners will qualify for admission to the amended Senior Certificate:
Category 1:
Adult learners who are 21 years and older who have:
- a General Education and Training Certificate (GETC) for Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET); or
- a Grade 9 (Standard 7) school report, stating that they have passed Grade 9; or
- a recognised equivalent qualification obtained at NQF Level 1 which requires two official languages.
Category 2:
Adult learners who are 21 years and older with an incomplete Senior Certificate qualification.
Category 3:
Adult learners who are 21 years and older with an incomplete National Senior Certificate and whose School-Based Assessment (SBA) validity has expired. The 2008 and 2009 NSC candidates’ SBA marks will expire in 2014 and these candidates will be required to write the June 2015 Senior Certificate examination.
Category 4:
In exceptional cases, out of school youth who are 18 - 21 years old and who could not complete their school education due to circumstances beyond their control, provided they have:
- a General Education and Training Certificate (GETC) for Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET); or
- a Grade 9 school report, stating that they have passed Grade 9; or
- a recognised equivalent qualification obtained at NQF Level 1 which requires two official languages and obtained the approval of the Head of Education.
|
| 3. |
Subjects offered in the amended Senior Certificate
3.1 |
| 3.1 |
The subjects listed below which are part of the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statements of the National Senior Certificate, will be offered as part of the amended Senior Certificate. The subjects will in essence be the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statements of the National Senior Certificate, excluding the School-Based Assessment (SBA) component. |
| 3.2 |
Each candidate must offer six subjects in order to qualify for the amended Senior Certificate. Adults who have approved Senior Certificate subject credits, but do not comply with the required six-subject package, must select the remaining required subjects from the following list of 14 adapted National Senior Certificate subjects:
TABLE A: OFFICIAL LANGUAGES AT HOME AND FIRST ADDITIONAL LEVEL
| SUBJECT |
NUMBER |
SUBJECT CODE |
| Afrikaans Home Language |
13300019 |
AFRHS |
| Afrikaans First Additional Language |
13310029 |
AFRFS |
| English Home Language |
13300039 |
ENGHS |
| English First Additional Language |
13310049 |
ENGFS |
| IsiNdebele Home Language |
13300059 |
NDBHS |
| IsiNdebele First Additional Language |
13310069 |
NDBFS |
| IsiXhosa Home Language |
13300079 |
XHOHS |
| IsiXhosa First Additional Language |
13310089 |
XHOFS |
| IsiZulu Home Language |
13300099 |
ZULHS |
| IsiZulu First Additional Language |
13310109 |
ZULFS |
| Sepedi Home Language |
13300119 |
SEPHS |
| Sepedi First Additional Language |
13310129 |
SEPFS |
| Sesotho Home Language |
13300139 |
SESHS |
| Sesotho First Additional Language |
13310149 |
SESFS |
| Setswana Home Language |
13300159 |
SETHS |
| Setswana First Additional Language |
13310169 |
SETFS |
| SiSwati Home Language |
13300179 |
SWAHS |
| SiSwati First Additional Language |
13310189 |
SWAFS |
| Tshivenda Home Language |
13300199 |
TSVHS |
| Tshivenda First Additional Language |
13310209 |
TSVFS |
| Xitsonga Home Language |
13300219 |
XITHS |
| Xitsonga First Additional Language |
13310229 |
XITFS |
TABLE B1: AGRICULTURE
| SUBJECT |
NUMBER |
SUBJECT CODE |
| Agricultural Sciences |
10320239 |
AGRSS |
TABLE B2: BUSINESS, COMMERCE AND MANAGEMENT STUDIES
| SUBJECT |
NUMBER |
SUBJECT CODE |
| Accounting |
12320249 |
ACCNS |
| Business Studies |
12320259 |
BSTDS |
| Economics |
12320269 |
ECONS |
TABLE B3: HUMAN AND SOCIAL STUDIES
| SUBJECT |
NUMBER |
SUBJECT CODE |
| Geography |
16320279 |
GEOGS |
| History |
16320289 |
HISTS |
| Religion Studies |
16320299 |
RLGSS |
TABLE B4: PHYSICAL, MATHEMATICAL, COMPUTER AND LIFE SCIENCES
| SUBJECT |
NUMBER |
SUBJECT CODE |
| Computer Applications Technology |
19320309 |
CATNS |
| Information Technology |
19320319 |
INFTS |
| Life Sciences |
19320329 |
LFSCS |
| Mathematical Literacy |
19320339 |
MLITS |
| Mathematics |
19320349 |
MATHS |
| Physical Sciences |
19320359 |
PHSCS |
|
| 3.3 |
The Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statements for the above-listed Senior Certificate subjects are available on the Department of Basic Education’s website, www.education.gov.za under CAPS, FET Phase on the Home Page. |
| 4. |
Subjects to be recognised |
| 4.1 |
Senior Certificate subject credits for subjects passed prior to June 2015, at Higher Grade and Standard Grade, excluding Lower Grade conversions, will be recognised. |
| 4.2 |
With the exception of Business English N3, First and Second Language, and/or Sake Afrikaans N3, First and Second Language, no N3 subjects will be recognised. |
| 4.3 |
In the case of learners who have attempted the National Senior Certificate examination, but were unable to complete all the subject requirements, and have exhausted the three year validity period allowed for the School-Based Assessment (SBA), such candidates will have their previous credits recognised, with the exception of Life Orientation. |
| 5. |
Amended Senior Certificate examination |
| 5.1 |
Candidates who qualify to write the amended Senior Certificate examination will write the examination in June/July 2015. |
| 5.2 |
Candidates writing the amended Senior Certificate examination will be exempt from a School-Based Assessment, and this implies that the examination in the subject will constitute 100% of the final mark. |
| 6. |
Registration for the June/July 2015 Senior Certificate examination |
| 6.1 |
Registration for the June/July 2015 Senior Certificate examination opened on 1 October 2014 and will close on 15 January 2015. |
| 6.2 |
Senior Certificate examination registrations will be administered electronically via an online facility on the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) website, from 1 October 2014. |
| 6.3 |
Candidates can register on the WCED website http://wced.school.za by following the step-by-step guidelines provided. |
| 6.4 |
Out of school youth, 18 - 21 years old (category 4 above), must complete and submit Annexure A, requesting the approval of the Head: Education, to enter for the Senior Certificate examination. Completed application forms and supporting documents can be submitted via email to examregistrations@westerncape.gov.za or faxed to 021 461 5637 by no later than 30 November 2014. |
| 6.5 |
Candidates, who select Computer Application Technology (CAT) or Information Technology (IT) as a subject, must submit a letter confirming that the centre at which they have registered for tuition has the necessary computer facilities to administer the CAT and IT practical examinations. |
| 6.6 |
All institutions offering tuition to out of school candidates for the Senior Certificate examinations will be responsible for the registration of their candidates for the June/July Senior Certificate examination on the following web address: https://exams-admin.westerncape.gov.za Centre managers will be provided with a username and password. |
| 7. |
Preparation for the 2015 Senior Certificate examination |
| 7.1 |
Learners that intend to write the 2015 Senior Certificate examination must commence with preparations for the examinations immediately, given that the curriculum is a year programme. |
| 7.2 |
Learners may obtain the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statements (CAPS) for the relevant subject from the DBE website. Exemplar question papers based on CAPS, as well as the CAPS textbook catalogue are also available on the DBE and WCED websites. |
SIGNED: BK SCHREUDER
DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL: CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT MANAGEMENT
DATE: 2014:10:15
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