1 PREAMBLE
The policy is to ensure that learners make the correct choices regarding their subjects for the FET phase and to eliminate any subject changes later in their high school career.
2 LEGAL FRAMEWORK
The Policy is guided by the Regulations Pertaining to the National Curriculum Statement Grades R-12 as amended in the Government Gazette, No. 39435 of 20 November 2015.
3 SUBJECT CHOICE
All Grade 9 learners will make their subject selection for Grade 10 during the third term of the Grade 9 year. The Life Orientation department will inform and liaise with learners regarding career options and the requirements. All subjects in the Further Education and Training Phase follow a three year programme from grade 10 to 12.
3.1 Restrictions on certain subjects:
The following subjects have limitations on the number of students who can be accommodated:
– Engineering Graphics and Design
– Computer Applications Technology
– Consumer Studies
– Visual Art
– Music
As such, students who have chosen these subjects as their first choice may be directed to their second choice.
3.2 Learners wanting to study Accounting and Physical Sciences in Grade 10 must have obtained a minimum of 50% in the Accounting section of EMS and the Physical Sciences section of Natural Sciences in Grade 9 respectively, as well as 50% in Mathematics in Grade 9.
3.3 Should learners wish to change to one of the following subjects in the Grade 11 year these must be taken from the start of the Grade 11 year:
– Computer Applications Technology
– Design
– Visual Arts
In other words, learners will not be allowed to change to any of the above subjects during the Gr 11 year.
| 3.4 Subject changes in Grade 10 |
| 3.4.1 A learner may change a maximum of two subjects in Grade 10. |
| 3.4.2 The closing date for requests from parents to schools for subject changes is the final school day of Term 1 and schools must process the subject changes on CEMIS by 31 July of the Grade 10 year. | |
| 3.5 Subject changes in Grade 11 |
| 3.5.1 A learner may change a maximum of two subjects in Grade 11. |
| 3.5.2 | The closing date for requests from parents to schools for subject changes is the final school day of Term 1and schools must process the subject change on CEMIS by 30 April of the grade 11 year. |
| 3.5.3 In exceptional cases, a learner may change one additional subject in Grade 11, after the release of his/her Grade 11 end-of-year results. This subject change must be done before the final school day of the Grade 11 year. | |
| 3.6 Subject changes in Grade 12 No subject changes will be allowed in the Grade 12 year. |
| 3.7 Administration of subject changes for Grades 10 to 11 |
| 3.7.1 Early identification of learners in Grade 10 and 11 for subject changes is very important. The subject teachers must identify the learners at risk for subject changes and inform parents in writing. |
| 3.7.2 The parent/guardian must apply for the subject change in writing to the principal. |
| 3.7.3 The principal will consult with the learner, the parent/guardian, the teacher of the subject in which the learner is at risk and the teacher of the proposed new subject, and consensus must be reached on whether it is in the best interests of the learner to change a subject. |
| 3.7.4 After proper consultation and after an agreement has been reached, the principal, parent and subject teacher, as well as the teacher of the new subject, must sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA), indicating that the subject change is being made in the best interests of the learner. |
| 3.7.5 The CEMIS administrator of the school must keep a copy of the MOA and all documents for scrutiny. |
| 3.7.6 All subject changes for Grades 10 to 11 will be approved by the principal and captured on CEMIS. |
| 3.7.7 District and Head Office officials will monitor these requests for subject changes. |
| 3.7.8 The WCED will not accept late subject changes or allow subject changes on preliminary schedules for Grade 12. |
———————————————————-