This article walks you through the setup steps to complete in the School Management Portal before you capture any learner marks. It is for curriculum administrators and school staff setting up a new year. You will learn what the d6 Preset Curriculum does and the order in which to complete each setup screen.

My School > Curriculum

What is the d6 Preset Curriculum?

The d6 Preset Curriculum is the quickest way to set up your curriculum. It loads all the required tasks, assessments and weights according to the CAPS (Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement) requirements for the current year. The Department of Education releases these requirements during Term 1 each year as an SA-SAMS patch, and d6 releases the Preset once the patch is available.

What should I know before activating the Preset?

• Existing marks are deleted: As soon as you select the Preset setup for a term, any marks already entered for that term are deleted.

• Activate it early: We recommend activating the Preset before you enter any Term 1 marks.

• Wait for the release: If you plan to use the Preset, do not enter marks until the current year's Preset has been released.

How do I prepare the curriculum for marks entry?

Complete the steps below in order. Each step depends on the one before it.

Step 1: Set up the Learning Programs

1. Navigate to My School > Curriculum > Learning Programs.

2. Set up the Learning Programs for all terms and activate the Preset Curriculum if you are using it.

3. Enter the dates for releasing final term marks on the d6 Communicator App. If you leave the dates blank, no marks are released.

Step 2: Complete the Learning Program Setup

1. Navigate to My School > Curriculum > Learning Program Setup.

2. Select the subjects per grade at Step 1. If you are not using the Preset, complete Steps 1 to 6.

Step 3: Create subject groups

1. Navigate to My School > Curriculum > Subject Groups.

2. Set up subject groups for all subjects in every grade.

Step 4: Allocate subject choices

1. Navigate to My School > Curriculum > Subject Choices.

2. Allocate subjects to learners per group, per subject or per learner.

Step 5: Allocate learners to subject groups

1. Navigate to My School > Curriculum > Subject Group Allocation.

2. Allocate learners to their subject groups. Learners who are not allocated will not appear on the marks lists.

Step 6: Assign marks capturing rights

1. Navigate to My School > Curriculum > Marks Capturing Rights.

2. Give marks capturing rights to every teacher who needs to enter marks.

Step 7: Choose the decision methods

1. Navigate to My School > Curriculum > Decision Methods.

2. Select the promotion method and requirements per phase. Use the departmental requirements (DOE NPPPPR) or set up your own.

Step 8: Set the decision guidelines

1. Navigate to My School > Curriculum > Decision Guidelines.

2. Select the decision method for each grade and term. Complete this for Terms 1 to 4 and the promotion mark.

Step 9: Enter learner marks

1. Navigate to My School > Learners > Marks > Per Group.

2. Enter learner marks per grade and subject group.

Step 10: Create report card comments (optional)

1. Navigate to My School > Curriculum > Remarks/Comments and create your report card remarks.

2. Allocate the remarks to learners at My School > Learners > Remarks/Comments.

Step 11: Set up report card templates

1. Navigate to My School > Curriculum > Report Card Templates.

2. Set up the report card templates your school will use.

Frequently asked questions

Will activating the Preset Curriculum delete my marks?

Yes. Selecting the Preset setup for a term deletes any marks already entered for that term. Activate the Preset before you enter any Term 1 marks.

When is the d6 Preset Curriculum available?

The Department of Education releases the CAPS requirements as an SA-SAMS patch during Term 1 each year. d6 releases the Preset once that patch is available.

Why are some learners missing from my marks list?

Learners only appear on the marks list once they are allocated to a subject group. Check their allocation at My School > Curriculum > Subject Group Allocation.

Why can't parents see term marks on the d6 Communicator App?

Marks are only released if release dates are entered at My School > Curriculum > Learning Programs. If the dates are blank, no marks are released to the app.

Why can't a teacher enter marks?

The teacher needs marks capturing rights for that subject. Allocate these at My School > Curriculum > Marks Capturing Rights.

Do I have to complete all six steps of the Learning Program Setup?

Only if you are not using the Preset. With the Preset, you only need to select the subjects per grade at Step 1.