| REFERENCE: | 43921
13/2/11/6/4 |
 | | ENQUIRIES: | S Rampou
M Cameron | TEL: | 021 467 2237/ 2619 | FAX: | 086 205 1450 |
CURRICULUM GET MINUTE: DCG 0003/2015 |
TO: | DEPUTY DIRECTORS-GENERAL, CHIEF DIRECTORS, DIRECTORS, DEPUTY DIRECTORS (HEAD OFFICE AND EDUCATION DISTRICT OFFICES), HEADS: CURRICULUM CO-ORDINATION AND ADVICE, HEADS: IMG CO-ORDINATION AND ADVICE, CIRCUIT TEAM MANAGERS, IMG MANAGERS, CHIEF EDUCATION SPECIALISTS, DEPUTY CHIEF EDUCATION SPECIALISTS, HEADS OF ALL INSTITUTIONS WITH LEARNERS IN GRADES 7 TO 9, LIFE ORIENTATION AND NATURAL SCIENCES SUBJECT HEADS AND TEACHERS |
| GRADES 7 TO 9 LIFE ORIENTATION AND NATURAL SCIENCES SEXUALITY EDUCATION TRAINING MANUALS AND PANELS TO ASSIST WITH TEACHING |
| 1. |
Sexuality Education is a highly sensitive topic in the Senior Phase. It is addressed in both the Life Orientation and Natural Sciences curricula. The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has received a few concerns raised by parents regarding the sexuality education programme, especially as it is offered in Grade 7. In addition, a number of teachers have also expressed their lack of confidence to teach the topic. |
| 2. |
The WCED takes these concerns very seriously and is committed to address the fears of teachers, parents and the general public. A partnership has been established between the WCED and the Department of Obstetrics at the University of Cape Town to develop a Teacher Training Course to help teachers to teach sexuality education in a responsible and medically correct manner. |
| 3. |
The WCED has taken steps to train Senior Phase subject advisers as well as lead teachers for Life Orientation and Natural Sciences on the “Approach to teach Sexuality Education” by professionals in the field. |
| 4. |
It is expected that the subject advisers and lead teachers will train all the Life Orientation and Natural Sciences teachers in their circuits in Term 2. |
| 5. |
In preparation for teacher training, all schools will receive the following support material for use in Grades 7 to 9: |
| 5.1 |
Grade 7 to 9 learners will receive bookmarks with key messages related to sexual health as well as useful contact telephone numbers. The bookmarks are written in both English and Afrikaans. |
| 5.2 |
Learners in Grades 7 to 9 will also receive workbooks dealing with the topics covered in the Life Orientation and Natural Sciences CAPS curricula. These workbooks should be used by the learners under supervision. They may be completed individually or in groups once the topic has been covered. |
| 6. |
A service provider will deliver the bookmarks and learner workbooks to schools from mid-March 2015. |
| 7. |
Heads of department/subject are requested to ensure that these resources are safely stored at school until Life Orientation and Natural Sciences teachers have been trained by the district. |
| 8. |
Once trained, the relevant heads of department/subject for the two subjects should monitor the use of the learner workbooks and the distribution of the bookmarks. |
| 9. |
Heads of department/subject are encouraged to provide the necessary support to teachers. |
| 10. |
District officials will also provide support during cluster sessions and classroom support visits. |
| 11. |
The WCED is hopeful that these resources will build confidence in teachers to teach the subject matter and also help young adults make responsible decisions about their bodies and lives. |
| 13. |
Principals are kindly requested to bring this notice to the attention of all relevant teachers. |
SIGNED: BK SCHREUDER
DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL: CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT MANAGEMENT
DATE: 2015:03:24
Grand Central Towers, Lower Parliament Street, Private Bag X9114, Cape Town 8000
Please quote reference numbers in all correspondence
Employment and salary queries: 0861 92 33 22
Safe Schools: 0800 45 46 47
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