NQF Structure

The DHET is responsible for all post-school [new word replacing tertiary] education and training in South Africa.

They are caretakers inter alia of the NQF Act [SAQA and 3 QCs], The Skills Development Act [SETAs] , the Higher Education Act [Unis and PHEIs] and the GEN FET Act [Colleges].

In terms of the SA Constitution, The DHET [for colleges and higher education providers] and the DBE [for schools] are required to  REGISTER ALL PRVIDERS. Public schools, colleges and universities are all deemed registered.

In terms of the NQF Act of 2008:

  • SAQA is the custodian of the NQF
  • Umalusi is the Quality Council for all Schooling [accreditation of public and private providers and associated qualifications]
  • The QCTO is the Quality Council for all College ETD [accreditation of public and private providers and associated qualifications]
  • The CHE is responsible for all Higher Education [accreditation of public and private providers and associated qualifications]

There are three separate sub-frameworks of the NQF that have been gazetted that each of the above areas each of the three QCs are accountable for.

NOTE: we are still in the transitionary phase from the SAQA Act[1995] to the NQF Act[2008] – the NQF Act replaced the SAQA Act but it did provide for transition from the old Act to the new Act [without a time limit].

That causes a lot of confusion as SETA ETQAs are still functioning [under the policies, criteria and guideline emanating from the SAQA Act] as we wait for the QCTO to take on its full responsibility.

 

LEVELS OF EDUCATION IN SOUTH AFRICA
BAND SCHOOL GRADE NQF LEVEL QUALIFICATIONS
HIGHER 8 Doctors Degree
7 Masters Degree
Honours Degree
Postgraduate Diploma
6 General first Degree
Professional first degree postgraduate
Bachelor’s Degree
5 First Diploma
Higher Certificate
Certificate
FURTHER 12 4 Diploma
11 3 Certificate
10 2 Certificate
GENERAL 9 1 Grade 9 Basic Adult Education Training Level 4
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
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