THE NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE:

A QUALIFICATION AT LEVEL 4 ON
THE NATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK (NQF)
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. 27819 of 20 July
2005 and amended as:

Government Notice No. 1175 in Government Gazette, Vol. 486, No. 28300 of 7 December
2005;
Government Notice No. 593 in Government Gazette, Vol. 491, No. 28790 of 3 May 2006;
Government Notice No. 959 in Government Gazette, Vol. 495, No. 29253 of 29 September
2006;
Government Notice No. 1005 in Government Gazette, Vol. 496, No. 29283 of 10 October
2006;
Government Notices 384 and 385 in Government Gazette, Vol. 502, No. 29851 of 30
April 2007;
Government Notices 1077 and 1078 in Government Gazette, Vol. 509, No.304671 of 13
November 2007;
Government Notices1041 and 1042 in Government Gazette, Vol.533, No.32678 of 3
November 2009.

ii
Department of Basic Education

Sol Plaatje House

123 Schoeman Street
Private Bag X895
Pretoria 0001
South Africa
Tel: +27 12 312-5911
Fax: +27 12 321-6770

120 Plein Street

Private Bag X9023
Cape Town 8000
South Africa
Tel: +27 21 465-1701
Fax: +27 21 461-8110

[Link]

© Department of Basic Education

ISBN 15 October 2009

iii
 CONTENTS

ACRONYMS vii

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCING THE POLICY FOR THE NATIONAL

SENIOR CERTIFICATE 1

1. PURPOSE OF THE DOCUMENT 1

2. TYPE OF QUALIFICATION 2

3. ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE NATIONAL

CURRICULUM STATEMENT GRADES 10 – 12 4

4. PROMOTION REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADES 10 - 12 4

5. DURATION AND GENERAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE

NATIONAL CURRICULUM STATEMENT GRADES 10 – 12 4

6. CHANGING SUBJECTS IN GRADES 10, 11 AND 12 5

CHAPTER 2: PROMOTION REQUIREMENTS OF THE NATIONAL

CURRICULUM STATEMENT GRADES 10 – 12 7

7. ORGANISING FIELDS 7

8. RULES OF SUBJECT COMBINATION 7

iv
9. REQUIREMENTS OF THE NATIONAL CURRICULUM
STATEMENT GRADES 10-12 8

10. PROVISOS 9

11. PROMOTION AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS 11

12. CONCESSIONS 12

CHAPTER 3: ASSESSMENT 16

13. ASSESSMENT IN GRADES 10 AND 11 16

14. ASSESSMENT IN GRADE 12 16

15. RECORDING AND REPORTING 17

16. SUPPLEMENTARY EXAMINATIONS 18

CHAPTER 4: TIME ALLOCATION FOR SUBJECTS 21

17. INTRODUCTION 21

18. TIME ALLOCATION 21

CHAPTER 5: REPEAL OF POLICY AND TRANSITIONAL

ARRANGEMENTS 23

19. REPEAL OF POLICY 23

20. TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS 23

21. SHORT TITLE AND COMMENCEMENT 25

v
DEFINITIONS 26

ANNEXURE A: NATIONALLY APPROVED SUBJECTS

LISTED IN TERMS OF THE ORGANISING FIELDS
OF LEARNING OF THE NQF 30

ANNEXURE B: NATIONALLY APPROVED SUBJECTS THAT

COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE NATIONAL
CURRICULUM STATEMENT GRADES 10 – 12 32

ANNEXURE C: RECOGNITION OF SUBJECTS NOT LISTED

IN THE NATIONAL CURRICULUM STATEMENT
GRADES 10-12 38

ANNEXURE D: SUBJECT CODING FOR ASSESSMENT PURPOSES 41

vi
 ACRONYMS

GET General Education and Training

LOLT Language of Learning and Teaching
NCS National Curriculum Statement
NQF National Qualifications Framework
NSC National Senior Certificate
SAQA South African Qualifications Authority

vii
 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCING THE POLICY FOR THE

NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE

1. Purpose of the document

(1) 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.

(2) 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.

(3) 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.

(4) 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. 31337 of 29 August 2008 as
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. All accredited
assessment bodies must give effect to the regulations.

(5) This document is supplemented by two separately printed addenda:

(a) 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. 29467 of 11 December 2006, provides
a regulatory framework for the management of school
assessment records and basic requirements for learner profiles,
teacher and learner portfolios, report cards and schedules; and

(b) 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.

2. Type of qualification

(1) The National Senior Certificate is a 130 credit certificate at Level 4 on

the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

(2) 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

2
 will offer the National Senior Certificate. Full-time learners and repeat
candidates will offer subjects listed in Annexure A of this document.
For this purpose full-time learners and repeat candidates are defined as
follows:

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.

(3) A repeat candidate is 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.

(4) In terms of this policy document the National Senior Certificate

qualification must:

(a) represent a planned combination of Learning Outcomes that has

a defined purpose or purposes, and is intended to provide
qualifying learners with applied competence and a basis for
further learning;
(b) enrich the qualifying learner;
(c) provide benefits to society and the economy;
(d) comply with the objectives of the NQF;
(e) where applicable, be internationally comparable;
(f) incorporate integrated assessment; and
(g) indicate the rules governing the award of the qualification.

3
3. Entrance requirements for National Curriculum Statement Grades 10 –12

The minimum entrance requirements for Grade 10 are:

(1) an official Grade 9 school report which indicates promotion to Grade

10; or
(2) a General Education and Training Certificate (GETC) for Adult Basic
Education and Training (ABET); or
(3) a NQF Level 1 Certificate; or
(4) a recognised equivalent qualification obtained at NQF Level 1.

4. Promotion requirements for Grades 10-12

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.

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5. Duration and general requirements of the National Curriculum Statement
Grades 10-12

(1) The duration of the National Curriculum Statement Grades 10-12

programme is three years, namely Grades 10, 11 and 12. To obtain a
National Senior Certificate a learner must:

(a) Complete the programme requirements for Grades 10, 11 and 12

separately and achieve the distinct learning outcomes and attain
the associated assessment standards of all three years; and

(b) 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.

6. Changing subjects in Grades 10, 11 and 12

(1) 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.

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

(3) In exceptional cases a learner may change one subject in Grade 12,
provided it is done before 31 January of the Grade 12-year.

(4) Approval for changing a subject in Grade 12 must be obtained from the
Head of the assessment body. The following must be furnished:

5
 (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 statements for the previous grade that were not covered.

(5) 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.

6
 CHAPTER 2

PROMOTION REQUIREMENTS OF THE NATIONAL

CURRICULUM STATEMENT GRADES 10 – 12

7. Organising fields

(1) 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.

(2) The Organising Fields listed at Annexure A, are used for classification
and grouping purposes.

8. Rules of subject combination

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.

7
9. Requirements of the National Curriculum Statement Grades 10-12

(1) Subject to paragraphs 1, 11 and 20, a National Senior Certificate shall

be issued to a candidate who has complied with the following
requirements:

(a) offered and completed the internal and external assessment

requirements in not fewer than seven (7) subjects selected as
follows from Annexure B:

(i) 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.

(ii) Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy selected from

Annexure B, Table A2.

(iii) Life Orientation in Annexure B, Table A3.

(iv) 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.

8
10. Provisos

(1) A candidate may offer more than the required minimum of seven
subjects provided that he or she complies with the following
requirements:

(a) the additional subjects must be offered for all three years of the
National Senior Certificate programme, namely Grades 10-12.

(b) 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.

(2) Not more than one language shall be offered from the same language
group, namely:

(a) isiXhosa, isiZulu, SiSwati and isiNdebele; and

(b) Sepedi, Sesotho and Setswana.

(3) 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.

(4) A candidate may not offer both Mathematics and Mathematical

Literacy.

(5) 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.

9
 Additional approved subjects will be added to Annexure C from time to
time.

(6) 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.

(7) 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.

(8) A candidate may not offer both Computer Applications Technology and
Information Technology.

(9) A candidate may not offer both Consumer Studies and Hospitality
Studies.

10
11. Promotion and certification requirements

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. 58 of
2001), and subject to paragraph 9 of this document, a National Senior
Certificate shall be issued to a candidate who has complied with the following
promotion requirements:

(1) 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.

(2) 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.

(3) Learners who offer a Music programme from the Associated Board of
Royal Schools Practical Music Examination or Trinity College of
London Practical Music Examination or Unisa Practical Music
Examination, must obtain the following ratings:

(a) the Associated Board of Royal Schools Practical Music

Examination: at least 65%.

(b) Trinity College of London Practical Music Examination: at least

65%.

(c) Unisa Practical Music Examination: at least 50%.

11
12. Concessions

(1) Immigrants

(a) An immigrant candidate is:

(i) child or a dependent of a diplomatic representative of a

foreign government accredited in South Africa; or

(ii) a person who:

(aa) first enrolled at and entered a South African

school in Grade 7 or a more senior grade, or

(bb) 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.

(b) 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).

(c) Instead of offering another subject from Group B in lieu of the

one official language that is not offered, an immigrant candidate
may offer his or her home language in lieu of that one official
language, subject to the following:

12
(i) such language is listed on Home Language level in Table
B4 at Annexure B.

(ii) 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.

13
 (iii) 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.

PROGRAMME REQUIREMENTS
A-Level National Policy
Symbol % % Marks
A 70-100 70 280
B 60-69 60 240
C 55-59 55 220
D 50-54 50 200
E 40-49 40 160
30-39 35 140

(d) To be classified as an immigrant candidate, such a candidate

must be in possession of:

(i) the relevant official documentation issued by the

Department of Home Affairs; and

(ii) the relevant official documentation issued by the school

where the learner entered the South African school
system for the first time.

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(2) Learners who experience barriers to learning

(a) The following concessions may apply to candidates who

experience the following barriers to learning:

(i) 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).

(ii) 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).

(iii) 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).

(b) White Paper 6 on Special Needs Education: Building an

Inclusive Education and Training System (2001), guides policies
related to learners experiencing barriers to learning.

15
 CHAPTER 3

ASSESSMENT

13. Assessment in Grades 10 and 11

(1) 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.

(2) 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.

14. Assessment in Grade 12

(1) 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.

(2) 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.

16
 (3) 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.

15. Recording and reporting

(1) 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.

TABLE 1: SCALE OF ACHIEVEMENT FOR THE NATIONAL

CURRICULUM STATEMENT GRADES 10-12
ACHIEVEMENT ACHIEVEMENT MARKS
LEVEL DESCRIPTION
%
7 Outstanding achievement 80 – 100
6 Meritorious achievement 70 – 79
5 Substantial achievement 60 – 69
4 Adequate achievement 50 – 59
3 Moderate achievement 40 – 49
2 Elementary achievement 30 – 39
1 Not achieved 0 – 29

(2) These descriptions are intended to assist teachers to assess learners and
grade them at the correct level.
(3) Teachers or examiners must record learners’ results in marks and report
them as percentages.
(4) The percentage obtained will determine which rating code on the scale
of achievement will be allocated to a learner.

17
16. Supplementary examinations

A supplementary examination will be granted under the following conditions to

a full-time, repeat and part-time candidate:

(1) If a candidate has not met the minimum promotion and certification
requirements, but requires a maximum of two subjects to obtain a National
Senior Certificate, he or she may:

(a) 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.

(b) 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.

(c) 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),

18
 promulgated in Government Gazette No. 27819 as Government
Notice, No 744 of 20 July 2005.

(2) 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.

(3) A candidate who does not satisfy the minimum higher education
requirements or the requirements for the specific occupation in the end-of-
year examination may be allowed to register for the supplementary
examination in the year following the end-of-year National Senior
Certificate examination, in a maximum of two subjects, subject to the
following:

(a) 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

(b) 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.

(4) 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.

(5) 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

19
 oral assessment marks where applicable, in order to meet the internal
assessment and external examination requirements.

(6) 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.

(7) 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.

20
 CHAPTER 4

TIME ALLOCATION FOR SUBJECTS

17. Introduction

(1) 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.

(2) 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.

18. Time allocation

(1) The 27,5 hours of teaching contact time per week must be used as
follows:

(a) Languages: 9 hours per week, that is, 4,5 hours per week for
each of the two languages;

(b) Mathematical Literacy or Mathematics: 4,5 hours per week;

(c) Life Orientation: 2 hours per week; and

(d) 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.

21
(2) Table 2 gives a summary of the time allocations.

TABLE 2: SUMMARY OF THE TIME ALLOCATION FOR SUBJECTS

OFFERED FOR THE NATIONAL CURRICULUM STATEMENT GRADES
10-12
Subject Time allocation
(hours per week)
Language 1 4,5
Language 2 4,5
Mathematics and Mathematical Literacy 4,5
Life Orientation 2,0
Group B subjects (3 x 4hours) 12,0
Total 27,5

(3) 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.

22
 CHAPTER 5

REPEAL OF POLICY AND TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS

19. Repeal of policy

(1) The policy document, Résumé of instructional programmes in schools,

Report 550 (09/05), containing the programme and promotion
requirements for the Senior Certificate, is repealed, subject to
Regulation 59.

(2) 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.

20. Transitional arrangements

(1) 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.

(2) 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.

(3) From 2006 all learners in Grades 10-12 offer the National Curriculum
Statement Grades 10 – 12.

23
(4) The following candidates will be given an opportunity to complete
outstanding requirements for the Senior Certificate until May/June
2011:

(a) unsuccessful candidates in the Senior Certificate examination of

2007;

(b) part-time candidates who are already enrolled for the Senior
Certificate,

(c) candidates who have passed Grade 11 in previous years; and

(d) 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.

(5) 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.

(6) 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.

(7) 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

24
 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.

(8) 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).

21. Short title and commencement

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.

25
 DEFINITIONS

applied competence - the ability to put into practice in the relevant context the exit-
level 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.

26
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.

27
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.

Provincial education
department means an education department, contemplated in section
1 of the South African Schools Act 84 of 1996.

28
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.

Subject Assessment
Guidelines means guideline documents that specify the internal and
external assessment requirements for each of the listed
subjects in the National Curriculum Statement (NCS)
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.

Umalusi means the Council, contemplated in section 1 of the General and

Further Education and Training Quality Assurance Act 58, 2001;

29
 ANNEXURE A

NATIONALLY APPROVED SUBJECTS LISTED IN TERMS OF

THE ORGANISING FIELDS OF LEARNING OF THE NQF

No Organising fields of learning Subjects

1. Agriculture and Nature Agricultural Management Practices;
Conservation Agricultural Sciences; Agricultural
Technology
2. Culture and Arts Dance Studies; Design; Dramatic Arts;
Music; Visual Arts.
3. Business, Commerce and Accounting; Business Studies;
Management Economics
Studies
4. Communication Studies and All official languages, and a number of
Language non-official languages
5. Education, Training and
Development
6. Manufacturing, Engineering and Civil Technology; Electrical
Technology Technology; Mechanical Technology;
Engineering Graphics and Design
7. Human and Social Studies Religion Studies; Geography; History;
Life Orientation
8. Law, Military Science and
Security
9. Health Sciences and Social
Services

30
No Organising fields of learning Subjects
10. Physical, Mathematical, Computer Applications Technology;
Computer and Life Information Technology; Life Sciences;
Sciences Mathematical Literacy; Mathematics;
Physical Sciences
11. Services Consumer Studies; Hospitality Studies;
Tourism.
12. Physical Planning and
Construction

31
 ANNEXURE B

NATIONALLY APPROVED SUBJECTS THAT COMPLY

WITH THE PROGRAMME REQUIREMENTS OF THE
NATIONAL CURRICULUM STATEMENT GRADES 10 – 12

GROUP A

TABLE A1: OFFICIAL LANGUAGES AT HOME AND FIRST

ADDITIONAL LEVEL
SUBJECT SUBJECT NUMBER
Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12
Afrikaans Home Language 13301002 13301013 13301024
Afrikaans First Additional Language 13311032 13311043 13311054
English Home Language 13301062 13301073 13301084
English First Additional Language 13311092 13311103 13311114
IsiNdebele Home Language 13301122 13301133 13301144
IsiNdebele First Additional Language 13311152 13311163 13311174
IsiXhosa Home Language 13301182 13301193 13301204
IsiXhosa First Additional Language 13311212 13311223 13311234
IsiZulu Home Language 13301242 13301253 13301264
IsiZulu First Additional Language 13311272 13311283 13311294
Sepedi Home Language 13301302 13301313 13301324
Sepedi First Additional Language 13311332 13311343 13311354
Sesotho Home Language 13301362 13301373 13301384
Sesotho First Additional Language 13311392 13311403 13311414
Setswana Home Language 13301422 13301433 13301444
Setswana First Additional Language 13311452 13311463 13311474

32
 SUBJECT SUBJECT NUMBER
Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12
SiSwati Home Language 13301482 13301493 13301504
SiSwati First Additional Language 13311512 13311523 13311534

TABLE A1: OFFICIAL LANGUAGES AT HOME AND FIRST

ADDITIONAL LEVEL (CONT.)
SUBJECT SUBJECT NUMBER
Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12
Tshivenda Home Language 13301552 13301563 13301574
Tshivenda First Additional Language 13311582 13311593 13311604
Xitsonga Home Language 13301612 13301623 13301634
Xitsonga First Additional Language 13311642 13311653 13311664

TABLE A2: MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES

SUBJECT SUBJECT NUMBER
Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12
Mathematical Literacy 19321002 19321013 19321024
Mathematics 19331032 19331043 19331054
Mathematics (Third Paper) 19331182 19331193 19331204

TABLE A3: HUMAN AND SOCIAL STUDIES

SUBJECT SUBJECT NUMBER
Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12
Life Orientation 16341002 16341013 16341024

33
 GROUP B

TABLE B1: AGRICULTURE

SUBJECT SUBJECT NUMBER
Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12
Agricultural Management Practices 10351002 10351013 10351024
Agricultural Science 10351032 10351043 10351054
Agricultural Technology 10351062 10351073 10351084

TABLE B2: CULTURE AND ARTS

SUBJECT SUBJECT NUMBER
Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12
Dance Studies 11351002 11351013 11351024
Design 11351032 11351043 11351054
Dramatic Arts 11351062 11351073 11351084
Music 11351092 11351103 11351114
Visual Arts 11351122 11351133 11351144

TABLE B3: BUSINESS, COMMERCE AND MANAGEMENT

STUDIES
SUBJECT SUBJECT NUMBER
Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12
Accounting 12351002 12351013 12351024
Business Studies 12351032 12351043 12351054
Economics 12351062 12351073 12351084

34
 TABLE B4: OFFICIAL LANGUAGES AT SECOND
ADDITIONAL LEVEL, AND NON-OFFICIAL LANGUAGES
SUBJECT SUBJECT NUMBER
Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12
Afrikaans Second Additional Language 13351672 13351683 13351694
English Second Additional Language 13351702 13351713 13351724
IsiNdebele Second Additional 13351732 13351743 13351754
Language
IsiXhosa Second Additional Language 13351762 13351773 13351784
IsiZulu Second Additional Language 13351792 13351803 13351814
Sepedi Second Additional Language 13351822 13351833 13351844
Sesotho Second Additional Language 13351852 13351863 13351874
Setswana Second Additional Language 13351882 13351893 13351904
SiSwati Second Additional Language 13351912 13351923 13351934
Tshivenda Second Additional 13351942 13351953 13351964
Language
Xitsonga Second Additional Language 13351972 13351983 13351994
Arabic Second Additional Language 13352002 13352013 13352024
French Second Additional Language 13352032 13352043 13352054
German Home Language 13352062 13352073 13352084
German Second Additional Language 13352092 13352103 13352114
Gujarati Home Language 13352122 13352133 13352144
Gujarati First Additional Language 13352152 13352163 13352174
Gujarati Second Additional Language 13352182 13352193 13352204
Hebrew Second Additional Language 13352212 13352223 13352234
Hindi Home Language 13352242 13352253 13352264
Hindi First Additional Language 13352272 13352283 13352294
Hindi Second Additional Language 13352302 13352313 13352324
Italian Second Additional Language 13352332 13352343 13352354
Latin Second Additional Language 13352362 13352373 13352384

35
 TABLE B4: OFFICIAL LANGUAGES AT SECOND ADDITIONAL
LEVEL, AND NON-OFFICIAL LANGUAGES (CONT.)
SUBJECT SUBJECT NUMBER
Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12
Portuguese Home Language 13352392 13352403 13352414
Portuguese First Additional Language 13352422 13352433 13352444
Portuguese Second Additional 13352452 13352463 13352474
Language
Spanish Second Additional Language 13352482 13352493 13352504
Tamil Home Language 13352512 13352523 13352534
Tamil First Additional Language 13352542 13352553 13352564
Tamil Second Additional Language 13352572 13352583 13352594
Telegu Home Language 13352602 13352613 13352624
Telegu First Additional Language 13352632 13352643 13352654
Telegu Second Additional Language 13352662 13352673 13352684
Urdu Home Language 13352692 13352703 13352714
Urdu First Additional Language 13352722 13352733 13352744
Urdu Second Additional Language 13352752 13352763 13352774
French First Additional Language 13372782 13372793 13372804
(Abitur)
German Mother Tongue (Abitur) 13372812 13372823 13372834

TABLE B5: ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

SUBJECT SUBJECT NUMBER
Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12
Civil Technology 15351002 15351013 15351024
Electrical Technology 15351032 15351043 15351054
Mechanical Technology 15351062 15351073 15351084
Engineering Graphics and Design 15351092 15351103 15351114

36
 TABLE B6: HUMAN AND SOCIAL STUDIES
SUBJECT SUBJECT NUMBER
Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12
Geography 16351032 16351043 16351054
History 16351062 16351073 16351084
Religion Studies 16351092 16351103 16351114
History (Abitur) 16371122 16371133 16371144

TABLE B7: PHYSICAL, MATHEMATICAL, COMPUTER AND LIFE

SCIENCES
SUBJECT SUBJECT NUMBER
Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12
Computer Applications Technology 19351002 19351013 19351024
Computer Applications Technology 19351212 19351213 19351214
Speed Endorsement (Optional)
Information Technology 19351032 19351043 19351054
Life Sciences 19351062 19351073 19351084
Physical Sciences 19351092 19351103 19351114
Biology (Abitur) 19371282 19371293 19371304
Chemistry (Abitur) 19371222 19371233 19371244
Physics (Abitur) 19371252 19371263 19371274

TABLE B8: SERVICES

SUBJECT SUBJECT NUMBER
Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12
Consumer Studies 20351002 20351013 20351024
Hospitality Studies 20351032 20351043 20351054
Tourism 20351062 20351073 20351084

37
 ANNEXURE C
RECOGNITION OF SUBJECTS NOT LISTED IN THE
NATIONAL CURRICULUM STATEMENT GRADES 10-12

C.1 THE STATUS OF SUBJECTS OFFERED BY OTHER ASSESSMENT

BODIES

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.

38
C.2 SUBJECTS OF OTHER ASSESSMENT BODIES THAT ARE
APPROVED BY THE MINISTER OF BASIC EDUCATION

TABLE C1: AGRICULTURE

SUBJECT SUBJECT NUMBER
Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12
Equine Studies 10361002 10361013 10361024

TABLE C2: CULTURE AND ARTS

SUBJECT NUMBER

Associated Board of Royal Schools of Music Practical Music 11361002

Examination Grade 4
Associated Board of Royal Schools of Music Practical Music 11361013
Examination Grade 5
Associated Board of Royal Schools of Music Practical Music 11361024
Examination Grade 6
Associated Board of Royal Schools of Music Practical Music 11361034
Examination Grade 7
Trinity College of London Practical Music Examination 11361072
Grade 4
Trinity College of London Practical Music Examination 11361083
Grade 5
Trinity College of London Practical Music Examination 11361094
Grade 6
Trinity College of London Practical Music Examination 11361104
Grade 7
UNISA Practical Music Examination Grade 4 11361152
UNISA Practical Music Examination Grade 5 11361163
UNISA Practical Music Examination Grade 6 11361174
UNISA Practical Music Examination Grade 7 11361184

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

39
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.

TABLE C3: BUSINESS, COMMERCE AND MANAGEMENT

STUDIES
SUBJECT SUBJECT NUMBER
Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12
Maritime Economics 12361002 12361013 12361024

TABLE C4: NON-OFFICIAL LANGUAGES

SUBJECT SUBJECT NUMBER
Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12
Modern Greek Second Additional 13361002 13361013 13361024
Language

TABLE C5: ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

SUBJECT SUBJECT NUMBER
Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12
Nautical Science 15361002 15361013 15361024

TABLE C6: HUMAN AND SOCIAL STUDIES

SUBJECT SUBJECT NUMBER
Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12
Sport and Exercise Science 16351122 16351133 16351144

40
 ANNEXURE D

SUBJECT CODING FOR ASSESSMENT PURPOSES

D.1 Subjects

The subject codes for the subjects listed in Annexures A and B consist of eight
digits that have the following meaning:

first and second digits: NQF organising field (up to two digits) (Table D1);

third and fourth digits: the subject groupings, as defined below (Table D2);

fifth, sixth and seventh digits: unique subject codes within each NQF
organising field (subject grouping); and

eighth digit: NQF level of the subject.

Table D1 NQF organising fields as they relate to the subject coding system
Digit NQF Organising Field
DIGIT NQF ORGANISING FIELD
10 Agriculture and Nature Conservation
11 Arts and Culture
12 Business, Commerce and Management Studies
13 Communication and Language Studies
14 Education, Training and Development
15 Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology
16 Human and Social Studies
17 Law, Military Science and Security
18 Health Science and Social Services
19 Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences
20 Services
21 Physical Planning and Construction

41
 Table D2 Subject Groupings
DIGIT SUBJECT GROUP
30 Group A Official Languages at Home Language level
31 Group A Official Languages at First Additional Level
32 Group A Mathematical Literacy
33 Group A Mathematics
34 Group A Life Orientation
35 Group B Subjects
36 Subjects from other assessment bodies recognised by the Department
of Basic Education to be offered as Group B subjects
37 German International Abitur subject offered in combination with
National Senior Certificate subjects

42