Presentation to Portfolio Committee on Education-NQF Bill South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) Prof Shirley Walters SAQA 30 July 2008

Commendations Recognise and commend all involved in: Ending the NQF review process Bringing proposed legislation to its current stage Unchanged NQF objectives Acknowledging the complexities involved in creating an integrated framework

Concerns All the Quality Councils (QCs) will not be operational at the time of the proposed implementation. This may lead to uneven NQF implementation. Changes must be reflected in the suite of Bills for coherence and a consistent legislative framework.

Specific Proposed Changes to NQF Bill Proposed changes based on 2 principles: The NQF is a single integrated framework All new structures should have a meaningful role with clear responsibilities assigned

Disputes Clause 9: Responsibility of the Minister Proposal: Addition of “legal” to clarify the type of dispute involving SAQA or a QC which needs to be resolved Reason: Draw distinction between legal and other disputes because of SAQA’s role as a mediating body in situations of conflict between QCs

Co-ordination Clause 12 Objects of SAQA Proposal: Co-ordinate the sub-frameworks Reason: SAQA’s role of directly co-ordinating the sub-frameworks becomes clear

Functions of SAQA Clause 14 NQF Implementation Proposal: SAQA- Oversee the implementation of the NQF and ensure the achievement of its objectives Reason: Highlighting SAQA’s oversight role in implementing the NQF and advancing the objectives of the NQF

Functions of SAQA Clause 14 Mediation Proposal: Resolve emerging problems and mediate disputes regarding the QCs Reason: It is SAQA’s role as an oversight body to mediate in cases of conflict between QCs

Functions of SAQA Clause 14 Level Descriptors Proposal: Substitute “reach agreement” with “after consultation” Reason: SAQA seeks agreement and consensus. The wording allows for progress once broad agreements have been reached

Functions of SAQA Clause 14 With respect to qualifications Proposal: Include the term “standards” under definitions and in each case where reference is made to qualifications Reason: Excluding the word “standards” is unhelpful when referring to both education and training constituencies

Functions of SAQA Clause 14 Quality assurance Add: “With respect to quality assurance” (i) SAQA will advise the Minister through the production of a periodic report on the NQF objectives and quality assurance in South Africa, after consultation with the QCs. (ii) SAQA and the QCs may collaborate on the production of other reports on specific topics for purposes of advising the Minister. Reason SAQA’s quality assurance role was weakened from what was stated in the Joint Policy Statement and with each draft of the NQF Bill and eliminated altogether in the final draft. In order for SAQA to fulfil its oversight responsibility effectively, it needs to have a monitoring and research role regarding quality assurance.

Functions of SAQA Clause 14 Policy and criteria Proposal: Receive policy and criteria for sub-frameworks from QCs and advise the Minister in relation to the NQF. Receive policy and criteria for assessment, recognition of prior learning and credit accumulation and transfer for sub-frameworks from QCs and advise the Minister in relation to their alignment with the NQF Reason: SAQA needs to ensure that policies and criteria for sub-frameworks are aligned to the broader principles of the NQF

Functions of SAQA Clause 14 Navigational tools Proposal: Develop and communicate a set of NQF navigational tools to enable learners to comprehend and make informed choices when traversing the sub-frameworks of the NQF Reason: As an oversight body, SAQA should develop appropriate navigational tools for the benefit of learners

Functions of QCs Clause 28 Alignment of functions Proposal: Delete “ensure that they remain current and appropriate” Reason: To align the section on QCs with the proposed changes in SAQA’s function and to ensure that there is no duplication

Functions of QCs Clause 28 Alignment of functions Proposal: Submit policy and criteria for assessment, recognition of prior learning and credit accumulation and transfer for sub- frameworks to SAQA for comment on and advice to the Minister in relation to their alignment to the NQF Reason: To align the section on QCs with the proposed changes in SAQA’s function and to ensure that there is no duplication

Functions of QCs Clause 28 NLRD Proposal: Deletion of “determined in consultation with SAQA” and replaced with “required by SAQA” Reason: The NLRD is a versatile and reputable database. The decision as to the format of data submission should reside with SAQA as the oversight body

Functions of QCs Clause 28 Co-ordinated Communication Proposal: Inform the public about the sub- framework in line with a co-ordinated communication strategy by SAQA Reason: This will clarify the roles and responsibilities between SAQA and the QCs

Functions of QCs Clause 36 HEQSF/OQSF/GENFETQSF Proposal: Add: This sub-framework will in future be referred to as the Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework (HEQSF), Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework (OQSF), General and Further Education and Training Qualifications Sub-framework (GENFETQSF). Reason: To align the various pieces of legislation

Way forward Changing landscape of education and training SAQA has vast intellectual capital in the NQF environment SAQA- participating actively in the development of 3 QCs SAQA embraces change and would like to collaborate on issues “Value-Add” is important in generating legislation that will benefit South Africans

The end Questions?

Presentation to Portfolio Committee on Education-NQF Bill South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) Prof Shirley Walters SAQA 30 July 2008