The Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statements (CAPS) is not a new curriculum, but an amendment to the National Curriculum Statement Grades R – 12 Subject Statements. It therefore still follows the requirements of the same process and procedure as the
National Curriculum Statement Grades R – 12 (2002).
Each Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) is a streamlined, essential document necessary for teaching and learning in all subjects from Grade R to 12.
- Each subject now has one CAPS document that provides details of what needs to be taught and assessed on a grade-by-grade basis.
- The CAPS are more content-based, prescribing specific content and describing when it needs to be taught.
- The Foundations for Learning principles are embodied in the CAPS, with the emphasis on Languages and Mathematics.
- English, as a First Additional Language, will be taught from Grade 1.
- Intermediate Phase subjects are reduced to six. Technology is combined with Natural Sciences, and Arts and Culture is combined with Life Orientation.
- In the Senior Phase, Arts and Culture is replaced with Creative Arts.
- Economic and Management Sciences is taught from Grade 7.
- Annual National Assessments (ANAs) will take place in Grades -1 to 6 and 9.
The CAPS implementation timeline is:
- 2012: Grade 1–3 and 10
- 2013: Grade 4–6 and 11
- 2014: Grade 7–9 and 12.
The importance of textbooks in quality learning and teaching has been re-emphasised. In addition to high-quality, CAPS compliant textbooks, Oxford University Press Southern Africa offers posters, flashcards, big books, study guides, atlases and age-appropriate dictionaries to supplement the core learning and teaching material, and support teachers to implement CAPS in their classroom with confidence.
Visit https://www.oxford.co.za/page/schools/teaching-resources/1286464-Free-Downloads to download a wealth of free CAPS resources, including Oxford Teacher Toolkits for Intermediate, Senior and FET Phase.
