The South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) has a crucial mission: to oversee the ongoing development and implementation of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) and advance its objectives. The NQF serves as a vital national policy tool, playing a key role in transforming and integrating South Africa’s education and training system. It provides a comprehensive system for classifying, coordinating, registering, and publishing quality-assured national qualifications and part-qualifications.
The NQF aims to achieve several important objectives. First, it seeks to establish a unified and integrated national framework for recognising learning achievements. By doing so, it enables individuals to access, move within, and progress along various educational, training, and career paths. Second, it strives to enhance the overall quality of education and training in the country. Third, it plays a crucial role in addressing past unfair discrimination in education, training, and employment opportunities, thereby promoting greater equity and inclusivity. These objectives are designed to contribute to the personal development of each learner and the broader social and economic development of the nation as a whole.
SAQA, mandated by the NQF Act of 2008, assumes responsibility for overseeing and driving the ongoing development and implementation of the NQF. Through its efforts, SAQA plays a pivotal role in realising the objectives of the NQF, ensuring that South Africa’s education and training system continues to evolve and improve, benefiting learners and the nation’s social and economic prosperity.
What is SAQA’s primary role in ensuring the registration of qualifications?
The primary role of SAQA is to ensure the proper registration of qualifications. SAQA is responsible for overseeing the registration process, ensuring that qualifications meet the necessary standards and criteria. On the other hand, the Quality Councils are tasked with the responsibility of quality assuring the delivery of learning programs that lead to the awarding of these qualifications. They ensure that the education and training provided align with the required standards and meet the needs of learners.
Additionally, SAQA provides a valuable service to the public by allowing them to access the list of registered qualifications and part qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). This online resource, available HERE, serves as a comprehensive reference for individuals seeking information about recognised qualifications within South Africa. It offers transparency and enables the public to verify the legitimacy and relevance of qualifications in various fields.
What are the Functions of SAQA That Aid in Advancing the Objectives of the NQF?
SAQA has a range of functions to advance the objectives of the NQF. It performs its functions per the NQF Act and oversees the implementation of the NQF, ensuring the achievement of its objectives. This involves overseeing the registration of qualifications and ensuring their appropriateness and adherence to standards.
To facilitate the implementation of the NQF, SAQA develops an implementation framework in consultation with the Quality Councils (QCs) and oversees its execution. Collaboration between SAQA and the QCs is crucial, and SAQA develops a system of collaboration to guide their mutual relations. SAQA also resolves disputes regarding the QCs, taking into account its objectives and the regulations outlined in the Act.
SAQA plays a key role in the development and maintenance of level descriptors for each level of the NQF. These descriptors are developed in consultation with the QCs, published in the Gazette, and regularly updated to ensure their relevance and appropriateness.
Concerning qualifications, SAQA is responsible for developing and implementing policies and criteria for their development, registration, and publication. This includes identifying the relevant sub-framework, using appropriate nomenclature, and adhering to international practices. SAQA registers qualifications and part qualifications recommended by the QCs if they meet the relevant criteria. Additionally, SAQA develops policies and criteria for assessment, recognition of prior learning, and credit accumulation and transfer, in consultation with the QCs.
SAQA also has functions related to professional bodies. It develops and implements policies and criteria for recognising professional bodies and registering professional designations. This process involves consulting with statutory and non-statutory bodies of expert practitioners in occupational fields and the QCs.
On an international level, SAQA collaborates with international counterparts on matters of mutual interest concerning qualifications frameworks. It also informs the QCs and other interested parties about international practices in the development and management of qualifications frameworks.
Research is another important aspect of SAQA’s functions. It conducts or commissions investigations on topics relevant to the development and implementation of the NQF, including periodic studies on the impact of the NQF on South African education, training, and employment. SAQA also publishes the findings of these investigations.
SAQA maintains a national learners’ records database, which includes registers of national qualifications, part qualifications, learner achievements, recognised professional bodies, professional designations, and associated information. This database helps ensure accurate and comprehensive record-keeping.
What’s more, SAQA provides evaluation and advisory services consistent with the NQF Act for foreign qualifications. It informs the public about the NQF and performs any other functions required by the Act. SAQA is also authorised to perform functions consistent with the Act as determined by the Minister.
10 Things You Should Know About SAQA
- The South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) is the official body mandated to coordinate the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) in South Africa.
- SAQA’s primary objective is to promote and ensure the development and implementation of a high-quality, internationally comparable education and training system throughout South Africa.
- SAQA plays a vital role in ensuring the credibility, validity, and national as well as international recognition of qualifications issued within South Africa. This commitment enhances the reputation and competitiveness of South African qualifications.
- By collaborating with relevant stakeholders, including professional bodies, educational institutions, industry representatives, and government departments, SAQA facilitates the development of unit standards and qualifications across various sectors.
- SAQA takes responsibility for registering qualifications on the NQF. This involves evaluating and accrediting education and training providers to ensure they meet the rigorous quality standards and criteria set forth.
- SAQA also assumes the crucial responsibility of recognising foreign qualifications within South Africa. By evaluating and comparing these qualifications to the South African NQF, SAQA determines their equivalence and facilitates their recognition for employment or further studies in the country.
- SAQA provides a comprehensive and invaluable resource called the National Learners’ Records Database (NLRD). This database is a centralised repository of information on qualifications and learner achievements within the NQF. It is utilised by employers, educational institutions, and individuals seeking accurate information on qualifications and learner accomplishments.
- SAQA actively promotes the principles of lifelong learning and encourages the recognition of prior learning (RPL). RPL enables individuals to have their previous learning and experience assessed and acknowledged as a qualification or credit within the NQF.
- SAQA’s subsidiary, the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO), focuses on occupational qualifications and trades, ensuring quality assurance and monitoring of education and training providers in those areas.
- Recognising the global nature of qualifications, SAQA engages in active international collaborations and partnerships. It works closely with international bodies such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union (AU), and various international qualifications recognition networks to ensure the comparability and recognition of South African qualifications worldwide.
Conclusion
The South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) plays a pivotal role in advancing the objectives of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) in South Africa. Through its mission to oversee the ongoing development and implementation of the NQF, SAQA ensures the quality, credibility, and recognition of qualifications issued within the country. The NQF itself serves as a powerful national policy tool, promoting equity, inclusivity, and the overall enhancement of South Africa’s education and training system.
SAQA’s range of functions, as outlined in the NQF Act of 2008, highlights its commitment to registration, quality assurance, collaboration, and research. By overseeing the registration of qualifications, SAQA ensures that they meet the necessary standards and criteria, while the Quality Councils focus on quality-assuring the delivery of learning programs. SAQA’s collaboration with stakeholders, including professional bodies, educational institutions, and government departments, fosters the development of qualifications across various sectors.
The National Learners’ Records Database (NLRD) provided by SAQA serves as a valuable resource for accessing information on qualifications and learner achievements, promoting transparency and informed decision-making. SAQA’s efforts to recognise foreign qualifications further contribute to the country’s global integration and opportunities for employment and further studies.
SAQA’s commitment to lifelong learning and the recognition of prior learning (RPL) acknowledges the value of individuals’ previous learning and experience, enabling their progression within the NQF. Additionally, SAQA’s engagement in international collaborations ensures the comparability and recognition of South African qualifications on a global scale.
By empowering individuals, promoting quality, and fostering collaboration, SAQA is instrumental in building a robust and inclusive education and training system that supports personal growth, societal development, and international recognition of South African qualifications.
