National Senior Certificate: A Qualification at Level 4 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), published by means of a Government Notice No. 744 in Government Gazette, Vol. 481, No.
Government Notice No.
Government Notices 384 and 385 in Government Gazette, Vol.
Government Notices1041 and 1042 in Government Gazette, Vol.533, No.
Section 3(4)(l) of the National Education Policy Act, 1996 (No. 27 of 1996) makes provision for the determination of national education policy regarding curriculum frameworks, core syllabuses and education programmes, learning standards, examinations and the certification of qualifications. This provision is subject to the provisions of any law establishing a national qualifications framework or a certifying or accrediting body.
The policy stipulated in this document is only applicable to public schools and those independent schools that write the National Senior Certificate examination set by the Department of Basic Education.
This policy document forms the basis for the Minister of Basic Education to determine minimum outcomes and standards, as well as the processes and procedures for the assessment of learner achievement as stipulated in section 6A of the South African Schools Act, 1996 (Act No. 84 of 1996) which is applicable to public and independent schools.
The outcomes and standards determined in terms of section 6(A) of the South African Schools Act, 1996 (Act. No. 84 of 1996) are translated into regulations in terms of section 61 of the said act and were promulgated in Government Gazette No.
Government Gazette No. 31337 of 29 August 2008. All accredited assessment bodies must give effect to the regulations.
Addendum 1: An addendum to the policy document, the National Senior Certificate: A qualification at Level 4 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), regarding the National Protocol for Assessment (Grades R - 12), published in Government Gazette, No.
Addendum 2: An addendum to the policy document, the National Senior Certificate: A qualification at Level 4 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), regarding learners with special needs, published in Government Gazette, No.29466 of 11 December 2006 stipulates the programme and promotion requirements for learners with special needs who cannot meet the requirements of the National Senior Certificate as offered in mainstream schools.
The National Senior Certificate is a 130 credit certificate at Level 4 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).
Subject to Regulation 59(4) of the Regulations pertaining to the conduct, administration and management of assessment for the National Senior Certificate, published in Government Gazette No. 31337 of 29 August 2008, only full-time learners and repeat candidates will offer the National Senior Certificate. Full-time learners and repeat candidates will offer subjects listed in Annexure A of this document.
A full-time learner is a learner who has enrolled for tuition and who offers a National Curriculum Statement Grades 10-12 programme in a full-time capacity at a public or independent school or any other registered institution and who presents seven (7) subjects in terms of the National Curriculum Statement Grades 10-12 programme requirements. Such a candidate must fulfill all internal assessment requirements of the National Curriculum Statement Grades 10-12, including oral and practical requirements where applicable.
A repeat candidate is a candidate who has failed the National Senior Certificate examination and who wants to repeat his or her Grade 12year as a full-time candidate.
incorporate integrated assessment; and indicate the rules governing the award of the qualification.
an official Grade 9 school report which indicates promotion to Grade 10; or a General Education and Training Certificate (GETC) for Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET); or a recognised equivalent qualification obtained at NQF Level 1.
The requirements stipulated in this document are for the issuing of a National Senior Certificate. These are also the promotion requirements for Grades 10 and 11.
The duration of the National Curriculum Statement Grades 10-12 programme is three years, namely Grades 10, 11 and 12.
Comply with the internal assessment requirements and Practical Assessment Tasks where applicable for Grades 10, 11 and 12 and the external examination requirements of Grade 12 as contemplated in the National Protocol for Assessment (Grades R- 12) and the Subject Assessment Guidelines of the various subjects listed in Annexure A of this document.
A learner may change a maximum of two subjects in Grade 10, subject to the approval of the Principal of the school where the learner is registered.
A learner may change two subjects in Grade 11, subject to the approval of the Principal of the school where the learner is registered.
In exceptional cases a learner may change one subject in Grade 12, provided it is done before 31 January of the Grade 12-year.
Approval for changing a subject in Grade 12 must be obtained from the Head of the assessment body.
a letter from the Principal, either supporting or providing reasons for not supporting the change; and a letter from the subject teacher, outlining the programme to be followed to assist the learner in covering those aspects of the curriculum statements for the previous grade that were not covered.
The closing date for changing a subject or subjects in Grade 10 and 11 must be determined by the Head of the assessment body, based on the impact of the change on the internal assessment programme.
CURRICULUM STATEMENT GRADES 10 - 12 7.
The National Curriculum Statement Grades 10-12 uses the twelve Organising Fields of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) for organising purposes and registration on the NQF. These Organising Fields are linked to various disciplines and occupational fields in the world of work and are therefore designed to provide a framework for organising qualifications in a coherent and co-ordinated manner.
The Organising Fields listed at Annexure A, are used for classification and grouping purposes.
The approved subjects for the National Curriculum Statement Grades 10-12 at Annexure A are grouped in two main categories in Annexure B, namely Group A and Group B. A learner, under certain conditions, as contemplated in paragraphs 9, 10(8) and 10(9), must select four subjects, namely two official languages, Mathematical Literacy or Mathematics, and Life Orientation from Group A, and a minimum of any three subjects from Group B.
four subjects from Group A selected as follows: Two (2) official languages selected from Annexure B, Table A1, provided that one of the two official languages is offered on the Home Language level, and the other, on either Home or First Additional Language level, and provided further that one of the two languages is the language of learning and teaching.
Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy selected from Annexure B, Table A2.
Life Orientation in Annexure B, Table A3.
subject to paragraphs 10(8) and 10(9), a minimum of any three subjects selected from Group B Annexure B, Tables B1-B8. Of the minimum three required subjects, a maximum of two additional languages over and above the two official languages contemplated in paragraph 9(1)(a)(i), may be offered from both Tables A1 and B4.
the additional subjects must be offered for all three years of the National Senior Certificate programme, namely Grades 10-12.
all the internal assessment requirements for the required subjects, and the Practical Assessment Tasks where applicable, must be met for all three years of study, namely Grades 10, 11 and 12.
The same language shall not be offered on Home Language and First or Second Additional Language level, or on First and Second Additional Language level.
A candidate may not offer both Mathematics and Mathematical Literacy.
A maximum of one subject developed and assessed by an accredited assessment body that is not the Department of Basic Education, and approved by the Minister for this purpose, may be offered to meet the requirements of three (3) Group B subjects as contemplated in paragraph 9(1)(a)(iv). Such subjects are listed in Annexure C.
Additional approved subjects will be added to Annexure C from time to time.
Where a candidate has completed more than one Practical Music programme of one of the listed Music examination bodies, namely the Associated Board of Royal Schools Practical Music Examination or Trinity College of London Practical Music Examination or Unisa Practical Music Examination, only the highest level of achievement obtained by the candidate, namely Grade 6 or 7 from that examination body will be recognised for the National Senior Certificate.
Learners offering a Practical Music programme of one of the following Music examination bodies, namely the Associated Board of Royal Schools or Trinity College of London or Unisa, must comply with the requirements for the offering of music programmes of accreditted assessment bodies, as contemplated in Annexure D of the policy document, National policy on the conduct, administration and management of the National Senior Certificate: A qualification at Level 4 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF): Government Gazette, No. 30048, and Annexure C of the Regulations pertaining to the conduct, administration and management of assessment for the National Senior Certificate: Government Gazette No. 31337 of 29 August 2008.
A candidate may not offer both Computer Applications Technology and Information Technology.
A candidate may not offer both Consumer Studies and Hospitality Studies.
Subject to the provisions of Paragraph 16(4)(d) and (e) of the General and Further Education and Training Quality Assurance Act, 2001 (Act No.
Achieved 40% in three subjects, one of which is an official language at Home Language level, and 30% in three subjects, provided the School-Based Assessment component is submitted in the subject failed.
A condonation of a maximum of one (1) subject will be applied if a candidate requires a maximum of 2%, either to obtain a pass at 30% or 40%. Such a condonation will be applied in only one subject, provided the application of the condonation allows the candidate to obtain the National Senior Certificate qualification.
the Associated Board of Royal Schools Practical Music Examination: at least 65%.
Trinity College of London Practical Music Examination: at least 65%.
Unisa Practical Music Examination: at least 50%.
having begun his or her schooling at a school in South Africa, has attended school outside South Africa for two or more consecutive years after Grade 6 or its equivalent.
An immigrant candidate as contemplated above may offer only one (1) official language on at least First Additional Language Level and obtain a rating of 30% in that language, provided that another subject from Group B is offered in lieu of the one official language that is not offered, provided further that the immigrant candidate complies with the promotion requirements as contemplated in paragraph 11(1).
B4 at Annexure B.
offer his or her home language on the A-Level of the General Certificate of Education (GCE) of the United Kingdom, or an examination recognised by the Department of Basic Education as equivalent to Home Language level for this purpose.
The marks as supplied by the concerned assessment body will be taken into account, or if the actual marks are not available the results will be converted in accordance with the table below, with the proviso that the candidate may not offer two similarly named languages.
the relevant official documentation issued by the Department of Home Affairs; and the relevant official documentation issued by the school where the learner entered the South African school system for the first time.
the Deaf may offer one (1) official language at First Additional level, provided that another subject from Group B is offered in lieu of the one official language that is not offered, provided further that such Deaf candidate complies with the promotion requirements as contemplated in paragraph 11(1).
Aphasic and dyslectic candidates may offer only one (1) official language at First Additional level, provided that another subject from Group B, is offered in lieu of the one official language that is not offered, provided further that such aphasic or dyslectic candidate complies with the promotion requirements as contemplated in paragraph 11(1).
learners suffering from a mathematical disorder such as dyscalculia may be exempted from the offering of Mathematical Literacy or Mathematics, provided that another subject from Group B is offered in lieu of Mathematical Literacy or Mathematics, provided further that such candidate complies with the promotion requirements as contemplated in paragraph 11(1).
White Paper 6 on Special Needs Education: Building an Inclusive Education and Training System (2001), guides policies related to learners experiencing barriers to learning.
Learners will be assessed internally according to the requirements as specified in the National Protocol for Assessment (Grades R- 12) (Addendum 1) and the Subject Assessment Guidelines of January 2008. The internal assessment marks allocated to assessment tasks completed during the school year will be 25% of the total mark, and the end-of-year mark 75% of the total mark.
The end-of-year assessment must consist of an end-of-year examination that is internally set, marked and moderated, as specified in the National Protocol for Assessment (Grades R- 12) (Addendum 1) and the Subject Assessment Guidelines of January 2008.
The internal assessment mark will be 25%, and the external assessment mark 75% of the total mark, as specified in the National Protocol for Assessment (Grades R- 12) (Addendum 1) and Subject Assessment Guidelines of January 2008. The internal assessment will be externally moderated.
The weighting for assessment in the subject Life Orientation in Grade 12 is an exception. The internal assessment component will be 100% of the total mark. The internal assessment will be externally moderated.
The final mark is rounded down if the first decimal is less than 5 and rounded up if the decimal is 5 and above e.g. a final mark of 70,3 will be rounded down to 70 and a final mark of 70.6 is rounded up to 71.
Seven levels of competence have been described for each subject in the National Protocol for Assessment (Grades R- 12) (Addendum 1) and the Subject Assessment Guidelines of January 2008. The various achievement levels and their corresponding percentage bands are as shown in Table 1 below.
These descriptions are intended to assist teachers to assess learners and grade them at the correct level.
Teachers or examiners must record learners' results in marks and report them as percentages.
The percentage obtained will determine which rating code on the scale of achievement will be allocated to a learner.
Register for a maximum of two subjects for the supplementary examination in the following year. These two subjects must be, subject to subparagraph (c), offered in the previous end-of-year examination. This option may only be exercised once by a part-time candidate, namely after completion of the National Senior Certificate, that is, his or her final end-of-year examination.
Register for Life Orientation, which is internally assessed, as one of the two subjects to be registered for the supplementary examination in subparagraph (a). The re-assessment of Life Orientation must be completed within the period in which the supplementary examination is conducted.
Be allowed to combine the one or more repeated subjects with those already passed to enable them to obtain a National Senior Certificate in terms of the current National Senior Certificate requirements. That in the combination of the subjects, the performance in the seven (7) subjects would be taken into consideration, provided that the combination meets the programme requirements of the National Senior Certificate as contemplated in paragraphs 9 and 10 of the policy document . National Senior Certificate: A Qualification at Level 4 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), promulgated in Government Gazette No. 27819 as Government Notice, No 744 of 20 July 2005.
If a candidate is medically unfit and, as a result, is absent from one or more external examinations, he or she may register for the supplementary examination.
a candidate who is one requirement short of meeting the minimum admission requirements for Higher Certificate, Diploma and Bachelor's degree programmes requiring a National Senior Certificate; or a candidate that provides documentary evidence that he or she qualifies for admission to a higher education institution or for an occupation, but does not satisfy the higher education faculty requirements or the requirements for the specific occupation. For this purpose, the end-of-year and the supplementary examinations will be regarded as one examination sitting.
If there is a death in the immediate family of a candidate, or other special reasons for the candidate's absence, he or she may register for the supplementary examination.
In cases contemplated in subparagraphs (1) to (4) above, the School-Based Assessment mark of the Grade 12-year will be used, including practical or oral assessment marks where applicable, in order to meet the internal assessment and external examination requirements.
In a case where an irregularity is being investigated, provisional enrolment for the supplementary examination may be granted to the candidate concerned, pending the outcome of the investigation.
A candidate who did not write or complete the end-of year examination with a valid reason, has the opportunity to write the supplementary examination for the specific examination question paper he or she did not write in the end-of-year-examination. However, should the candidate select to write the entire subject, even though he or she has been absent for one or more examination question papers, the candidate should be allowed to exercise this option.
In terms of Section 4 of the Employment of Educators Act, 1998, all school-based educators should be at school during the formal school day. Each school day should be at least seven hours, allowing for 35 hours per five-day week.
The contact time for teaching National Curriculum Statement Grades 10-12 for Grades 10, 11 and 12 will be 27,5 hours per week, excluding the time allocated to breaks, assemblies and extramural activities.
Life Orientation: 2 hours per week; and time allocation for the Group B subjects (12,0 hours): 4,0 hours per week should be allocated to each of the three Group B subjects.
Table 2 gives a summary of the time allocations.
The allocated 27,5 hours per week may be utilised only for the minimum required National Curriculum Statement Grades 10-12 subjects as specified above, and may not be used for any additional subjects. Should a learner wish to offer additional subjects, additional time must be allocated for the offering of these subjects.
The policy document, the National Senior Certificate: A qualification at Level 4 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), promulgated in Government Gazette No.27819 of 20 July 2005 is repealed and replaced with this document.
Unsuccessful Senior Certificate candidates in the Senior Certificate examination of 2007, as well as part-time candidates enrolled for the Senior Certificate by 2007, will be given an opportunity until May/June 2011 to complete the Senior Certificate programme. All Senior Certificate subjects successfully completed prior to 2006 will be recognised for the issuing of the Senior Certificate until May/June 2011.
No new enrolments of full-time or part-time learners will be accepted in Grades 10 for any subjects of Report 550 from 1 January 2006.
From 2006 all learners in Grades 10-12 offer the National Curriculum Statement Grades 10 - 12.
part-time candidates who are already enrolled for the Senior Certificate, candidates who have passed Grade 11 in previous years; and other special cases where the Heads of provincial and independent assessment bodies may use their discretionary powers to allow such candidates admission to the May/June Senior Certificate examination.
All Senior Certificate subjects, successfully completed prior to 2007 and provided they are in compliance with the policy document, Résumé of instructional programmes in schools, Report 550 (2001/08), will be recognised for the issuing of the Senior Certificate until May/June 2011.
No new enrolments of learners will be accepted in Grades 10 for any subjects listed in the policy document, a Résumé of instructional programmes in schools, Report 550 (2001/08) from 1 January 2006.
National education policy pertaining to part-time candidates as stipulated in the policy document, National policy on the conduct, administration and management of the National Senior Certificate: A qualification at Level 4 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), will, subject to Regulation 59(4) of the Regulations pertaining to the conduct, administration and management of assessment for the National Senior Certificate, published in Government Gazette No. 31337 of 29 August 2008, continue to exist until such a date as determined by the Minister of Basic Education.
The Minister may in terms of Sections 3(4)(l) and 7 of the National Education Policy Act, 1996 (Act No. 27 of 1996), amend the transitional arrangements as contemplated in paragraph 20. Such amendments to the transitional arrangements may be regulated in terms of Section 61 of the South African Schools Act, 1996 (Act. No. 84 of 1996).
This Policy may be cited as the National Senior Certificate: A qualification at Level 4 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) and will come into effect on the date of publication in the Government Gazette.
applied competence -the ability to put into practice in the relevant context the exitlevel Learning Outcomes and Assessment Standards required for obtaining the qualification.
candidate -means a learner who has entered for the final National Senior Certificate examination in Grade 12.
certification - issuing of the National Senior Certificate by Umalusi when the minimum promotion requirements have been met.
Department of Basic Education: -means the national department responsible for education.
Examination: -means the National Senior Certificate examination conducted at the end of the year.
assessment body -means the body accredited by Umalusi, the Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training, in accordance with the criteria determined by the South African Qualifications Authority and approved by the Minister in terms of section 16(6) of the General and Further Education and Training Quality Assurance Act, 2001 (Act No. 58 of 2001. The assessment bodies are the nine provincial departments of education and independent assessment bodies approved by Umalusi.
full-time learner -is a learner who has enrolled for tuition and who offers a National Senior Certificate in a full-time capacity at a public or independent school or any other registered institution and who presents seven (7) subjects in terms of the National Senior Certificate requirements. Such a candidate must fulfill all internal assessment requirements, including oral and practical requirements where applicable.
grade -means that part of an educational programme, which a learner may complete in one school year, or any other education programme, which the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) may deem to be equivalent thereto.
Head of Department -refers to the Head of a provincial education department.
Head of the institution -refers to the educator appointed as principal or acting as principal of a school or the head of any other registered learning institution.
immigrant candidate: -refers to a learner who enters the South African school system at a late stage and as a result thereof was not exposed to the full spectrum of all the South African official languages. Such a candidate will under certain conditions be exempted from complying with the language requirements of the National Curriculum Staement Grades 10-12.
independent school -means a school defined in terms of section 1 of the South African Schools Act, 1996 (No. 84 of 1996).
internal assessment -means an assessment, contemplated in section 1 of the General and Further Education and Training Quality Assurance Act 58 of 2000.
language levels - refers to all official and non-official languages and may be offered at the following three levels, namely Home Language, First Additional Language and Second Additional Language. Home Language is first acquired by children through immersion at home, the language in which they think. First Additional language provides for levels of language proficiency that meet the threshold levels necessary for effective learning across the curriculum. In the Second Additional Language the emphasis is on listening and speaking skills.
learner -means a learner, contemplated in section 1 of the South African Schools Act 84 of 1996.
Learner Evidence of Performance -means the collection of the learner's work that is used to compile his or her internal assessment mark.
MEC means a Member of the Executive Council, contemplated in section 1 of the South African Schools Act 84 of 1996.
National Qualifications Framework (NQF) - is a ten-level framework to provide for the registration of national standards and qualifications.
National Senior Certificate - means a qualification at Level 4 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) that will be awarded in 2008 for the first time to Grade 12 candidates who comply with the national policy requirements set out in the policy document, The National Senior Certificate: A qualification at Level 4 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).
promotion -the progression of a learner from one grade to the next when that learner meets the minimum requirements for the achievement of outcomes in the particular grade.
qualification -a planned combination of exit-level Learning Outcomes and Assessment Standards, which has a defined purpose and that is intended to provide learners with applied competence and a basis for further learning. This culminates in the formal recognition of learning achievement through the award of a formal certificate.
1 of the South African Schools Act 84 of 1996.
Repeat candidate means a candidate who has failed the National Senior Certificate examination and who wants to repeat his or her Grade 12-year as a full-time candidate.
school -in this document, a 'school' is a public school or an independent school which enrols learners in Grades 10 to 12 , contemplated in section 1 of the South African Schools Act 84 of 1996.
Grades 10-12 (General).
supplementary examination means an examination contemplated in Paragraph 16.
teacher portfolio means the full and final record of all the tasks that must be presented by the learner in his or her internal assessment mark for a particular subject, for assessment with regard to the National Senior Certificate. The teacher portfolio will also include marking guidelines and assessment rubrics.
Culture and Arts Dance Studies; Design; Dramatic Arts; Music; Visual Arts.
Services Consumer Studies; Hospitality Studies; Tourism.
Learners may offer a maximum of one subject developed by accredited assessment bodies other than the Department of Basic Education, provided that such a subject is accommodated in national education policy. A maximum of 20 credits may be allocated to such subjects. Accredited providers that wish to offer their subjects as part of the National Curriculum Statement Grades 10-12 may do so, subject to the approval of the Department of Basic Education.
The subjects listed in paragraph C2 are approved subjects from other accredited assessment bodies. Only in exceptional cases will additional subjects in this category be considered by the Department of Basic Education.
Since the rating scale of the external examining body is not in accordance with that of the National Senior Certificate - the rating (1 - 7) will not be indicated on the statement of results and on the final certificate issued by Umalusi.
The actual mark obtained by the candidate will be reflected on the Statement of Results, with an asterisk denoting that this subject was offered by an external assessment body and that the pass mark in this subject is stipulated by the assessment body.
Learners who offer the Associated Board of Royal Schools, Trinity College of London or UNISA Practical Music Examination, Grades 6 and 7 must comply with the prerequisite theoretical components as offered by the respective three institutions, namely the Associated Board of Royal Schools, Trinity College of London and UNISA, namely Grades 6 for the Theory of the Associated Board of Royal Schools and Trinity College of London, and Grade 5 for UNISA.
fifth, sixth and seventh digits: unique subject codes within each NQF organising field (subject grouping); and eighth digit: NQF level of the subject.