“Outside looking in” The evaluation of the NSC in South Africa by UK NARIC Anne Oberholzer

I am an African

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world – Nelson Mandela

Times are changing……………..

Structures and systems Minister of Higher Education and Training (anything that is not schooling) Department of Higher Education and Training oversees –South African Qualifications Authority – SAQA –Council for Higher Education (CHE) –Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO –Institutions – universities, universities of technology, FET colleges and adult earning centres

Structures and systems cont. Minister for Basic Education (Schooling) Department of Basic Education Umalusi (QA for basic and further education) –Accredits examining authorities –External moderation of examination papers against subject assessment guidelines of the examining authority –External monitoring of examination systems and processes

Structures and processes cont National Curriculum Statements – describes national curriculum from Grade R to Grade 12 –National Senior Certificate: Grade 10 in 2006, Grade Quality assurance by Umalusi - 3 assessment authorities –State – national (+/ ) –IEB - national (+/ ) –ERCO - national (+/- 1000)

IEB as an examining authority 1989 – took over examining function of JMB; only non-racial examining authority until 1996 Assess National Curriculum Standards within national structures and systems Serves independent schools – state schools must write state examinations Principle: power of assessment to positively influence teaching

National Minister of Education – sets standards through the national curriculum and the NSC qualification National Department of Education – subject assessment guidelines (SAGs) 9 x provincial departments of education Districts and +/ Schools – state and independent Umalusi – Quality assurance and certification council IEB - assessment body(SAGs) ERCO Examinations Directorate +/- 170 Independent schools Independent schools <100 Lines of quality assurance

New National Senior Certificate Senior Certificate 1975 – years 6 subjects 129 to choose from Differentiation – HG, SG University exemption National Senior Certificate 2008 ff 12 years (reception year) 7 subjects - LO 29 subjects to choose from; 2 from 11 official languages – Home, FAL No differentiation Category of passes –NSC –NSC Higher Certificate –NSC Diploma study –NSC Degree study

New National Senior Certificate cont. Curriculum review in progress – fill gaps and reduce content where appropriate Step back from OBE as pedagogical approach – more assistance for teachers: resources and specificity of content

IEB Advanced Programmes Not part of NSC Available to all schools Mathematics – since 2008 English – piloting 2011 Development on Physics, Chemistry and Critical Thinking – 2011 Piloting incrementally from 2011

Systemic issues History – impact on resources, nature of teaching Diversity –World class schools, teachers and learners –Highly-disadvantaged schools with impoverished learners –Pass rates Language policy –11 official languages –Mother-tongue education

UK NARIC evaluation of the NSC In theory and in practice Desktop and on-site visit Findings –A qualification with an underlying level that is both robust and fit for the purpose of examining secondary school levels – AS –Advanced programmes: closer to A level –Variances in level from one subject to another –Peculiarity of Physical Sciences

Recommendations Consistency in demand across subjects The need for a qualification at Gr 9/Gr 10 – recognition of achievement on a fundamental level Shortfall between NSC participation and pass rate – state, IEB Provision of well-qualified teachers across the system

Thank you