Recognition of Prior Leaning (RPL) Herman Letoka ETQA Manager FIETA
RPL RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING What is it? Why do we do it? Who do we do it to? What do we recognize? How do we recognize it? Benefits?
RPL WHAT IS RPL? (a) RPL is a process whereby people are given recognition for the skills and knowledge that they already have, but which have not been formally recognized. It gives formal credit for learning regardless of where the learning was achieved
WHAT IS RPL? (b) RPL is and educational process which recognizes lifelong learning for the purpose of giving credit, exemption or recognition of individual’s achievement regardless of when, where and how competence was acquired
WHY RPL? WHY DO WE DO IT? (a) The NQF objectives include: -facilitate access to, and mobility and progression within education, trainingand career paths -accelerate the redress of past unfair discrimination in education.
WHO IN RPL WHO DO WE DO IT TO? Adults who: -have never attended formal education -have not finished formal education -have finished formal education but is working in another responsibilities
What RPL Recognizes Experiential learning: work and life Service learning: service to community Short courses: in-house training Incomplete training: interrupted learning Informal learning: sit by Nellie Any form of learning, regardless of where the learning was achieved
Benefits or RPL To the learner: -Reduces duplication of learning -Enables completion of formal studies in a shorter time period -Increases opportunities for returning to learning -Provides flexibility of learning options
Problems in RPL Participants are unclear about the purpose of RPL – creating unrealistic expectations The relevance and fairness of assessment methods and tools are questioned Language barriers Relevant unit standards and qualifications Lack of support to participants
THE WAY FORWARD RPL is not: -a ‘soft option’ -an ‘easy’ way to achieve credits -a set of ‘bolt-on’ procedures RPL is: -a mechanism to remove barriers to education, training and career progress
Thank you