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South African Schools Act, 1996 (Act No. 84 of 1996)

Regulations

Regulations pertaining to the National Curriculum Statement for Grades R-12

17. Changing subjects in Grades 10, 11 and 12

 

(1) A learner may in terms of paragraph 35 of the policy document, National policy pertaining to the programme and promotion requirements of the National Curriculum Statement Grades R-12 change a maximum of two subjects in Grade 10, provided this is done by the end of the second term, subject to the approval of the Principal of the school where the learner is registered. Such change must be done before 30 June of the Grade 10 year.

 

(2) A learner may change two subjects in Grade 11, provided this is done before 31 March subject to the approval of the Principal of the school where the learner is registered.

 

(3) In exceptional cases, for instance a learner moving from one province or school to another, the learner may change one additional subject in Grade 11, provided this is done before 15 December of the Grade 11-year and that the relevant school is informed within 14 days after a final decision has been made.

 

(4) Approval for changing a subject in Grade 12 must be obtained from the Head of the assessment body. The following documents are needed—
(a) a letter of motivation from the learner’s parent or guardian;
(b) a letter from the Principal, either supporting or providing reasons for not supporting the change; and
(c) a letter from the subject teacher, outlining the programme to be followed to assist the learner in covering those aspects of the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement of the new subject for the previous grades that were not completed.

 

(5) A learner who changes a subject in Grades 10, 11 or 12 will be exempted from the School-Based Assessment requirement of the new subject for the period before the change was effected, provided that:
(a) he or she has complied with all the School-Based Assessment requirements of the subject to be changed before the change can be effected; and
(b) he or she complies with all the remaining School-Based Assessment requirements of the new subject from the date the change was effected.

 

(6) The learner, or the parent or guardian of the learner who changes a subject in Grades 10, 11 or 12 may not hold the assessment body responsible for their choice if such a learner encounters learning difficulties due to the subject change.

 

(7) Repeat candidates who sat for the National Senior Certificate examination and who wish to register for a subject not offered in the said National Senior Certificate examination with the aim of meeting faculty requirements at a higher education institution, may do so, provided that the candidate comply with the requirements as contemplated in Regulation 8(7) of the Regulations pertaining to the conduct, administration and management of assessment of the National Senior Certificate, Government Gazette No. 31337 of 29 August 2008.