Media Release
Minister of Education Debbie Schäfer
Western Cape

12 October, 2014

Back to school: Fourth and final term of school year set to be a busy one.

Statement by Minister Debbie Schäfer, Minister of Education

Tomorrow, nearly one million learners will return to school for the fourth and final term of the 2014 school year.

The fourth term of 2014 will certainly be a busy one.

This term learners in different grades will be participating in a number of important examinations and assessments. We will also be finalising preparations for the 2015 school year, as we plan to welcome approximately 984 000 children into our schools in 2015.

In the fourth term the following examinations and assessments will be conducted:

• A record number of 49 271 Grade 12 learners will begin writing the National Senior Certificate examinations from 20 October 2014.

• Grades 3, 6 and 9 learners will be writing systemic assessment tests in language and mathematics. (Statement on these tests to be issued tomorrow).

• In 31 schools a sample of Grade 5 learners will participate in the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS Numeracy) test in October.

• Internal examinations for Grades 4 to 11 will begin in November.

While the examinations and assessments will keep many of our educators and learners busy during this term, school management teams and the WCED will be working together to finalise arrangements for the 2015 school year:

• District staff will support schools in finalising enrolments

• Schools will work with the district to finalise their 2015 school timetables.

• All workbooks for 2015 will be delivered in December 2014.

• Top up textbooks will begin to be delivered in November 2014.

• All schools have received their teacher allocations. Appeals will be considered and schools informed of the outcome by the end of October 2014.

• All schools have been informed of their norms and standards allocation for 2015 and must proceed with preparing budgets for 2015. Norms and standards funding will be transferred to schools in November.

I am very pleased with the progress made so far in ensuring that our schools are prepared for the 2015 school year. This allows us to begin each school year on the first day prepared and ready for the four school terms ahead.

Best wishes to learners and teachers as they prepare for their examinations and assessment in the fourth term of 2014.

Media enquiries:
Jessica Shelver
Spokesperson for the Minister of Education, Debbie Schäfer
Western Cape Education Department
Tel: 076 175 0663