1. Joe Samuels – Deputy Executive Officer
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY (SAQA)
INPUTS TO THE
BUILT ENVIRONMENT PROFESSIONS BILL
Joe Samuels – Deputy Executive Officer
14 August 2008

2. General
Take into account all current and proposed Acts that are about to be promulgated, amended or withdrawn
Ensure that proposed legislation is not in contradiction with amendments to or withdrawal of other Acts

3. General
Accreditation as an ETQA under the SAQA Act should not be a “built-in” prerequisite
Purpose should be clear and definitions consistent
Purpose is to govern and make provision for the registration of professionals

4. THE BILL
Clause 1(1) Definitions “accredit” – Should include the words “as a professional “
Reason: The inclusion would eliminate ambiguity and fall within the realm of professional bodies

5. Functions of the Council
Clause 4(1)(e) The SAQA Act is to be repealed in totality (to be replaced by the NQF Act)
Clause 4(1)(n) (i) the words “for purposes of registration of professionals” to be included
Reason: Responsibility will be largely to award and remove the right to practice a profession

6. Functions of the Council
Clause 4(1)(o) include the words “for purposes of registration of professionals.” for reasons stated above.
Clause 4(1)(p) Include the words “ including the proposed body representing education and training institutions in the economic sector.”
Reason: The will enable a co-ordinated, integrated education system for articulation and mobility.

7. Constitution of council
Clause 6(1)(f) Include, “and other bodies representing education and training matters in South Africa.”
Reason: In order to enhance representivity.

8. Functions of professional boards
Clause 16(2)(a) “conduct accreditation visits in consultation with the appropriate quality assurance body of the specific institution.” - should be added
Reason: This would minimise duplication and be less burdensome on the institution.
Clause 16(2)(b) This should also include “and proposed amendments to such Acts.” –
Reason: This takes into account the changing education and training landscape

9. Functions of professional boards
Clause 16(2)(c) add the words “educational curricula or training programmes” ………….;”
Reason: Curricula and Training Programmes are the responsibilities of the respective quality assurance bodies of the respective sectors.

10. Functions of professional boards
It is recommended that section 16 (2) (c) be combined to state that this withdrawal of accreditation will be in consultation with SAQA and relevant quality assurance body in so far as the delivery towards registration of the profession.
Reason: This would form part of the quality assurance cycle

11. Functions of professional boards
Clause 16(g) add the words “in relation to the registration as a professional.”
Reason: This refers to the mandate of the Professional Board

12. Functions of professional boards
Clause 17(1) include the words “registration of professions”
Reason: As an indication of the councils jurisdiction

13. Functions of professional boards
Clause 17(5)
A professional board cannot be positioned as an Education and Training Quality Assurance body (ETQA) as defined in the SAQA Act.
It is further important to note that the responsibility of ETQAs is due to shift to the appropriate quality assurance body in the proposed new NQF Bill.

14. Qualification prescribed for registration
Clause 25. Add the words “for purposes of registration of professionals”
Reason: The education and training may happen through other arrangements
Clause 29(2) Add the words “for purposes of registration of professionals” for reasons previously stated.

15. Qualification prescribed for registration
Clause 29(5) The following words to be added “in consultation with the appropriate quality assurance body for that sector”
Reason: For legitimacy and credibility of the process and sharing of expertise

16. Investigation of matters relating to education and training of certain persons
Section 47 (1)
The words to be added “in consultation with the appropriate quality assurance body.” for the same reason as 29 (5)

17. Regulations Clause 48(1) (iii)
Reason: This area is outside the mandate of the council as it falls within the ambit of other education and training interventions
Clause 48(1) (iv) The emphasis should be on registration
Clause 48(1) (d) This should state that accreditation is for purposes of eventual registration
Reason: Both of the above would be necessary to reinforce the mandate of the professional bodies

18. Thank you

19. Joe Samuels – Deputy Executive Officer
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY (SAQA)
INPUTS TO THE
BUILT ENVIRONMENT PROFESSIONS BILL
Joe Samuels – Deputy Executive Officer
14 August 2008