Sponsored By The European Union Under European Programme For Reconstruction And Development SAQA DSSD Supporting Education and Training in Agriculture Dugmore Mphuthing Acting Director: Standards Setting and Development 30 September 2005

Principles of the NQF Integrated National Framework of Learning Achievements Facilitation of Articulation Access to education and training Promotion of Quality Education and Training Development of individual learning Social and Economic Development of the nation as a whole Democratic participation

Providers Structures of the National Qualifications Framework SGB DSSD Panels SAQA ETQA Structures

Why an NQF for South Africa? To promote the development of a nation that is committed to life-long learning To ensure quality education and training Intellectual capital for a competitive edge Rapid technological change Change, change and more change

Benefits of the NQF to SA The means to transform education and training in South Africa Advances a culture of life-long learning A single national qualifications framework Key building block in HRD strategy Provides information for planning for socio-economic development Ensures South Africa has a world-class learning system

SAQAs Mandate To oversee the development and implementation of a National Qualifications Framework (NQF) in terms of the NQF principles which are to: Create an integrated national framework for learning achievement Facilitate access to, and mobility and progression within, education, training and career paths Enhance the quality of education and training

SAQAs Mandate contd… Accelerate the redress of past unfair discrimination in education, training and employment opportunities and thereby, Contribute to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of the nation at large.

Functions of SAQA in Standards Setting To oversee the development of the Standards Setting System Formulate policy Register bodies To oversee the implementation of the Standards Setting System Setting up NSBs, help setting up of SGBs Register standards and qualifications

Objectives of Standards Setting Development of a regulatory framework for standards setting system Establish and maintain the functioning of 12 National Standards Bodies Oversee the development and registration of relevant and appropriate Standards Generating Bodies Register all existing qualifications Register new standards and qualifications

Development of a Regulatory Framework SAQA Act (1995) NSB regulations (1998) Policy documents: Framework of sub-fields Criteria and guidelines for the application for SGB Criteria and guidelines for the generation and evaluation of qualifications and standards SGB funding document Cross-linkages between NSBs and SGBs

Sponsored By The European Union Under European Programme For Reconstruction And Development Standards and Qualifications Generation Key stakeholders are identified SGBs/Task Teams established The Brief is negotiated Scoping workshop is held (consultant assisted) Writing begins Narrow consultation over draft submissions

Standards and Qualifications Registration Submission to SAQA DSSD Critique by Directorate Staff and Consultative Panels NLRD Capture Public Comment (Government Gazette) NSB Committee SAQA Exco SAQA Board

Challenges and Barriers Identifying necessary expertise (content) Identify necessary expertise (standards writing) Cost Time Quality

Current Standards Setting Landscape for Agriculture One Organising Field : Agriculture and Nature Conservation 5 Subfields Primary Secondary Nature Conservation Forestry and Wood Technology Ornamental Horticulture 3 SETAs (AgriSETA [ SETASA + PAETA], FIETA and THETA) 8 SGBs (Grain,Nature Conservation, Ornamental Horticulture and Landscape, Secondary Agriculture, Forestry, Primary Agriculture

WAY FORWARD The JIP Solution Partnership between SAQA and the Agricultural Sector Sources of Funding identified Project Plan Developed Joint Implementation Plan agreed and enshrined in signed document Standards and Qualifications generated Submission to SAQA for registration

Sponsored By The European Union Under European Programme For Reconstruction And Development SAQA DSSD Supporting Education and Training in Agriculture Dugmore Mphuthing Acting Director: Standards Setting and Development 30 September 2005