| 1. |
This minute must be read in conjunction with Assessment Management Minute 0022/2015, dated 20 November 2015, which clarified the progression of learners in Grades 10 and 11. Due to the high volumes of enquiries to the Provincial Education Departments pertaining to the implementation of the progression criteria in Grades 10 and 11, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) issued Circular E22 of 2016 which provides more clarity and guidelines in this regard. |
| 2. |
The purpose of Assessment Management Minute 0022/2015 was to align the Regulations with the minimum requirements of the National Senior Certificate to ensure that a learner who is progressed meets the basic criteria, which will assist the learner to cope with the demands of the next grade. |
| 3. |
The criteria which were included in Assessment Management Minute 0022/2015, are clarified below: |
| 3.1 |
The learner MUST have failed to satisfy the promotion requirements of either Grade 10 or Grade 11, and repeated either Grade 10 or Grade 11. |
| 3.2 |
The learner MUST have attained 30% in at least four subjects which must include the Language of Learning and Teaching (LoLT) of the school. |
| 3.3 |
The learner MUST have attended school on a regular basis. Absenteeism in excess of 20 days, without a valid reason, will disqualify the learner from being progressed. |
| 3.4 |
The learner MUST have complied with the prescribed School-Based Assessment (SBA) requirements for that academic year. |
| 4. |
In addition, the Minister of Basic Education gave approval for progressed learners to be allowed to choose the Multiple Examination Opportunity (MEO) option in the writing of the National Senior Certificate examinations. This implies that progressed learners, after the September preparatory examination and based on their performance in the preparatory examination, may choose to write all six subjects or less than the six subject package in the November 2016 examination. The remaining subjects will be written in the June examination in 2017. |
| 5. |
Principals MUST ensure that the affected learners and parents are consulted on the MEO option. It is also important to note that the MEO option is only applicable to progressed learners. |
| 6. |
Principals are requested to desist from deregistering candidates who have fared badly during the trial examinations as these candidates will automatically lose the SBA marks they have already accumulated. |
| 7. |
The Guidelines for the Implementation of Promotion and Progression Requirements for Grade 10–11 (2016) are attached to this minute. |
| 8. |
You are kindly requested to bring the contents of the minute to the attention of all Grade 12 learners, teachers and parents at your school. |
SIGNED: BK SCHREUDER
DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL: CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT MANAGEMENT
DATE: 2016:09:02
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