| 1. |
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) and the nine provincial education departments will again be organising the South African Schools' Choral Eisteddfod (SASCE) for both primary and secondary schools in 2015. |
| 2. |
The 2015 competition has been redesigned and makes provision for soloists, ensembles and school choirs in the following sections:
- Foundation phase;
- Primary schools; and
- Secondary schools.
Please note:
- There is not a Senior Phase (junior secondary) category.
- The Own Choice Category is only for the special schools.
- In the Primary School Section the SAB sextet is for farm schools only.
- The Boys' Choir Section has been introduced for primary schools.
- A group choir will be limited to a maximum of 45 learners.
- The secondary schools have 3 sections namely Secondary A, Secondary B and Open Category-
- Secondary A will consist of those schools that have consistently performed well during the last four years in the five approved categories (i.e. mixed choirs - African, Afrikaans, Western and male and female choirs). The DBE has compiled a list of these schools and will inform those schools that fall into this category. Schools in this category are expected to participate in all five categories. They can also perform in the open category.
- Secondary B schools are new schools and those schools that have participated in the programme but have not reached the national levels.
- Open Category is for both the above categories to select whatever they find suitable.
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| 3. |
Foundation phase choirs will only participate in the district eisteddfod. They will not participate in the provincial and national chapters of the competition. |
| 5. |
Elimination rounds in the Western Cape will be held between April and the end of May 2015 in the eight education districts. |
| 6. |
Schools will proceed to the next stage only if their performance has been adjudicated to be on level three and above. |
| 7. |
The national finals will be held in Durban from 12 to 18 July 2015. The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) will procure transport for this event. The WCED will not entertain any requests for schools to depart earlier or return later. Only registered learners and teachers will be allowed to travel. |
| 8. |
Schools employing private choir directors must ensure that they arrange private transport for such individuals, as the WCED will not be held responsible for these individuals in the event of unforeseen circumstances. |
| 9. |
To enter the competition, schools must complete the attached registration form and return it to the official responsible for school enrichment at their district office by 20 March 2015:
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| 10. |
Principals and school management teams must ensure that choir rehearsals do not interfere with the school's academic programme. Learners should not miss classes for rehearsals. |
| 11. |
It has been brought to the WCED’s attention that a small number of misdemeanours and fraudulent acts have been committed during the SASCE programme. The following have been reported over the years:
- Consumption of alcohol and dagga during district and provincial finals;
- Unruly behaviour by learners, teachers and supporters;
- Unregistered youth participating in choirs;
- Learners not enrolled at a particular school attending and participating in the provincial and national finals; and
- Schools allowing people who are not members of the choir to travel with the learners.
The WCED takes the above transgressions very seriously. Schools found guilty of such misdemeanours will not be allowed to participate in the next SASCE programme.
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| 12. |
Please bring the contents of this minute to the attention of all school choir conductors, teachers, parents and learners. |
SIGNED: P A VINJEVOLD
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2015:03:10
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