1. SAQA’s Role in the brave new NQF world…
Joe Samuels
Deputy Executive Officer
South African Qualifications Authority
September 2009

2. Understanding of The NQF
Framework of Communication, Coordination and Collaboration:
Communication = communicate the current reality.
Coordination = coordinate the 3 sub-frameworks.
Collaboration = bringing various partners and stakeholders together to make the objectives a reality and to realise the idea of life long learning for all!

3. The NQF Act: Chapter 4: SAQA’s New Role
Coordinate Quality Councils (QCs)
Develop and Maintain Levels/Level Descriptors
Register Qualifications and Part-qualifications
Recognise Professional Bodies and Register Professional Designations
Do or Commission Research (advise the Minister; impact)

4. The NQF Act: Chapter 4: SAQA’s New Role
Establish International Relations with similar QF bodies and Share best practice
Maintain Records of Education and Training (NLRD)
Evaluate Foreign Qualifications and Provide Advisory Service (DFQEAS)
Conduct Advocacy of NQF (inform the public)

5. New Developments Changes in the political landscape
9 May 2009 – One Minister of Education
10 May 2009 – Two Ministers of Education:
Basic Education
Higher Education and Training
Training moved from Labour to Higher Education
SETAs will move w.e.f. 1 November 2009

6. New Developments NQF Act Implementation Appointment of the QCTO Board
Announced in the Government Gazette by Minister Pandor as 1 June 2009
Appointment of the QCTO Board
Projected appointment date ?
Appointment of new SAQA Board
Minister called for nominations

7. Functioning of SAQA
Implementation date for NQF Act: 1 June 2009 (including move to 10-level framework)
Higher Education according to agreed communiqué with CHE
Basic Education in line with agreements with Umalusi
QCTO in line with agreements with DoL, carry on with standards setting and quality assurance until 1 April 2010

8. Annual Report 2008/9 ‘Embracing Change’
Transition: working with the QCs in preparing for the new landscape
Continuity in the system (‘old’ mandate)
Intellectual leadership: Research; Work and Learning; Career Guidance
NLRD (JIPSA evaluation; HEQCIS; Verifications)

9. Annual Report 2008/9 ‘Embracing Change’
Evaluation of Foreign Qualifications (Separate Directorate; Electronic system)
Strategic Imperatives (Impacting the Legislation; Managing the Transition; Research; International; Advocacy; Lifelong learning)
Model Statutory Body (12th clean audit; governance)

10. SAQA Publications 2008/9
Work (focuses on the need for continuing lifelong education for all and how this can be achieved in the workplace)
Women, Work and Learning: The Impact of Violence (outlines how various types of violence affect women’s ability to benefit from learning experiences available to them, and how their learning potential can be enhanced)
Career Guidance: Challenges and Opportunities (explores the role of career guidance in the development of the national qualifications framework in South Africa)
The NQF and its Worlds: looks at the context within which the South African NQF was developed and implemented

11. National Learners’ Records Database (NLRD)
Purpose
To provide policy makers with comprehensive information to enable informed decision-making
To provide learners and employers with proof of qualifications obtained: verifications, plus own track of life-long learning
Management of NQF Information
All registered qualifications (almost including Higher Education); part-qualifications (such as unit standards); “Legacy” qualifications; all supporting information
Records of education and training: learners (almost million) and their achievements; all supporting information (such as providers and assessors)

12. NLRD continued Verifications
2008/9 year: learning achievements of prospective or current employees done for 75 companies; transcripts of own results provided to people
2007/8 year: 832 learning achievements of 548 prospective or current employees done for 47 companies; transcripts of own results provided to 613 people

13. NLRD continued Verifications
To date, 2009/10 year: 1347 learning achievements of 783 prospective or current employees done for 64 companies (including public service departments); transcripts of own results provided to 617 people
Between the instruction to do verifications at SAQA and the end of August, 650 qualifications of 338 people were verified from 17 national and provincial government departments. Of these, the records of 15 people from six departments were for high level posts such as Directors General.

14. Foreign Qualifications Evaluation and Advisory Services
Purpose
Compares foreign with South African qualifications
Determines appropriate levels of recognition in SA
Guides appropriate placement in terms of the NQF
Alignment with NQF objectives
Access to, and mobility and progression within, education, training and career paths
Full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of the nation at large

15. Foreign Qualifications Evaluation and Advisory Services
Alignment with international best practice
Ongoing benchmarking with international peers and instruments
Manifests in Criteria and Guidelines

16. Foreign Qualifications Evaluation and Advisory Services
Current impact
Compulsory in terms of Immigration Policy (all general and quota work permits)
Advisory for a range of other purposes
Annual application rate: to
In addition to evaluation, general advisory service:
Individual
Institutional
National

17. Way Forward
Provide high quality, value added, quick turnaround service to the government wrt
Local (national) Verifications
Foreign qualifications
Future authenticity of qualifications

18. SAQA’s Role in the brave new NQF world…
Joe Samuels
Deputy Executive Officer
South African Qualifications Authority
September 2009