South African Schools Act, 1996 (Act No. 84 of 1996)RegulationsRegulations pertaining to the National Curriculum Statement for Grades R-1215. Recognition of subjects not listed in the Further Education and Training Phase |
| (1) | Learners in Grades 4-6 of the Intermediate Phase and Grades 7-9 in the Senior Phase, may offer an optional official or non-official language as part of their compulsory subject packages, subject to the following conditions: |
| (a) | The optional Language will be regarded as an additional subject not to be taken into account for promotion requirements as contemplated in paragraphs 14 (Intermediate Phase) and 21 (Senior Phase) of the policy document, National policy pertaining to the programme and promotion requirements of the National Curriculum Statement Grades R-12. |
| (b) | Schools offering an optional language in the Intermediate and Senior Phases on at least Second Additional Language level may not use the 27,5 hours official teaching time allocated to these two Phases for the teaching of the optional languages. |
| (c) | Additional languages may only be offered in the Intermediate and Senior Phases if the school arranges for the allocation of additional time to the allocated 27,5 hours teaching time in both the said phases. |
| (d) | Additional languages to be offered in Grades 4-6 in the Intermediate Phase and Grades 7-9 in the Senior Phase to be considered by the Department of Basic Education for inclusion in the National Curriculum Statement Grades R-12 must be supported by the following documents— |
| (i) | a Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement developed by an embassy, subject organisation or a province in the absence of an embassy or subject organisation. |
| (ii) | the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement for the optional language must be in the format and according to the requirements as determined by the Department of Basic Education; |
| (iii) | the generic English Language level documents at Second Additional Language level for Grades 4-6 in the Intermediate Phase and for Grades 7-9 in the Senior Phase should be used as a template for versioning; and |
| (iv) | the required sections in the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statements for the additional languages must be versioned. No translation is needed. |
| (e) | All relevant documents referred to in sub-paragraph (d) above, must be submitted not later than April of the year prior to the planned implementation. |
| (f) | Once the Department of Basic Education is satisfied that all the above requirements have been met, it will evaluate the subject in question and make a recommendation to the Minister of Basic Education. |
| (g) | Optional languages for the Intermediate and Senior Phases that have been approved by the Minister of Basic Education for inclusion in the National Curriculum Statement Grades R-12 will be implemented for the first time in Grades 4 and 7 in the month of January, following the year of approval. |
| (h) | The implementation of an optional language in Grades 4-6 in the Intermediate Phase and in Grades 7-9 in the Senior Phase in public schools in the various provinces is subject to the approval of the Head of Education of the relevant province or his or her nominee. |
| (2) | Learners in the Further Education and Training Phase Grades 10-12 may offer a maximum of one subject developed by an assessment body other than the Department of Basic Education and approved by the Minister of Basic Education and accredited by Umalusi, in addition to the required seven compulsory subjects in Grades 10-12 for the National Senior Certificate, subject to the following conditions: |
| (a) | All requests regarding the development of additional subjects to be listed in the National Curriculum Statement Grades R-12 to be offered in Grades 10-12 for the National Senior Certificate must be directed to the Department of Basic Education, in order to determine whether the Department of Basic Education will consider the inclusion of the subject in the National Curriculum Statement Grades R-12. |
| (b) | Additional subjects to be considered by the Department of Basic Education for inclusion in the National Curriculum Statement Grades R-12 must be supported by the following documents— |
| (i) | a Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement developed in the format and according to the requirements as determined by the Department of Basic Education; |
| (ii) | in the case of additional languages, the generic English Language level documents, i.e. Home, First Additional and Second Additional Language level should be used as a template for the versioning thereof; and |
| (iii) | the required sections of the additional languages must be versioned. No translation is needed. |
| (c) | An assessment body approved by the Minister of Basic Education and accredited by Umalusi, must develop the additional subject requested. |
| (d) | The School-Based-Assessment, the Practical Assessment Tasks where applicable and the oral mark, as well as conduct of the final end-of-year examination must be conducted, administered and managed by the assessment body approved by the Minister of Basic Education and accredited by Umalusi. |
| (e) | No guarantee can be given to applicants for additional subjects that the Ministerial approval will be obtained. All development is done at own risk and any costs incurred must be borne by the applicant. |
| (f) | All relevant documents referred to in sub-regulation (3) above, must be submitted not later than April of the year prior to the planned implementation. |
| (g) | Once the department of basic education is satisfied that all the above requirements have been met, it will evaluate the subject in question, consult with Umalusi and make a recommendation to the Minister of Basic Education. |
| (h) | Subjects that have been approved by the Minister of Basic Education for offering as part of the National Senior Certificate must be implemented for the first time in Grade 10 in the month of January, following the year of approval. |
| (i) | Schools that wish to enrol learners for additional subjects developed and assessed by an approved and accredited assessment body, must contact the Head of the relevant assessment body for details about the enrolment and assessment procedure for the additional subject. |