The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has issued a circular to all primary schools, requesting that a particular case study dealing with the topic of "The impact of HIV and AIDS" be ignored, as it viewed it is as an inappropriate case study for grade 5 learners.

The Grade 5 textbook, titled My Clever Natural Sciences Through Issues, published by Clever Books, a division of Macmillan South Africa, contains a scenario on pages 43 and 44, which WCED curriculum officials deem as inappropriate and requested that teachers find a different case study that addresses the same topic when mediating the impact of HIV and AIDS with grade 5 learners.

The book has not been screened by the WCED - its selection as a textbook depends on the schools and the teachers. The textbook, however, will not be withdrawn but this particular case study will be canceled. The matter has been raised with the publisher and this material is being revised.

It is imperative that the issue of HIV and AIDS be addressed with all learners in all learning areas and subjects at the appropriate level. Teachers should be very careful when selecting material and when mediating the topic with learners.

Principals have been requested to bring the contents of this minute to the attention of all concerned, including where necessary the parent community.

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For Enquiries:

Paddy Attwell
Cell: 083 261 7699

Gert Witbooi
Media Liaison Officer
Office of the MEC for Education
Western Cape
Tel: 021 467 2523
Cell: 082 550 3938
Fax: 021 425 5689
Email: gwitbooi@pgwc.gov.za
Visit our website: http://wced.wcape.gov.za

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INtshona Koloni - iKhaya loMntu wonke
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