Presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training

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Presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Higher
Education and Training
Samuel Isaacs Chief Executive Officer SAQA 26
August 2009
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Overview of presentation

1. Role of SAQA and the Qualifications Councils
2. Progress and challenges in the Recognition of
   Prior Learning
3. Plans regarding unregistered colleges and use of
   irregular qualifications

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• 1.
• Role of SAQA and the
• Qualifications Councils

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1. Role of SAQA and the QCs

National Qualifications Framework
Quality Councils
SAQA
Mutual

1. Oversee implementation further development of
   the NQF

1. Develop manage sub-frameworks

1. Develop participate in a system of collaboration

2. Advance the objectives of the NQF
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1. Role of SAQA and the QCs

Level descriptors
Quality Councils
SAQA
Mutual

• Develop contents of level descriptors and reach
  agreement with the QCs

1. Consider agree to level descriptors

1. Ensure that level descriptors remain current
   appropriate

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1. Role of SAQA and the QCs

Qualifications
Quality Councils
SAQA
Mutual

• Register qualifications

1. Develop qualifications as needed in the sector
2. Recommend qualifications to SAQA for registration

1. Develop implement policy criteria for
   qualifications, assessment, RPL CAT

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1. Role of SAQA and the QCs

Quality Assurance (QA)
Quality Councils
SAQA
Mutual

1. No executive QA function
2. Coordinate across sub-frameworks
3. Periodic impact studies of the NQF

1. Executive QA function
2. Ensure that quality assurance is undertaken for
   the sub-framework

1. Ensure integrity and credibility
2. Collaborate on research and impact studies

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1. Role of SAQA and the QCs

Research
Quality Councils
SAQA
Mutual

• Conduct commission research
• Publish findings
• Collaborate on respective research agendas

• Conduct regular studies on the impact of the NQF
• 2. Maintain and further develop a collaborative
  research agenda relevant to the development and
  implementation of the NQF

1. Focus on sub-framework specific research

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1. Role of SAQA and the QCs

Information management
Quality Councils
SAQA
Mutual

1. Maintain a database of learner achievements and
   related matters
2. Submit data to SAQA for the NLRD

• Maintain and further development the NLRD

1. Ensure integrity and validity of data
2. Analyse data and report findings

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1. Role of SAQA and the QCs

Advocacy marketing
Quality Councils
SAQA
Mutual

• Inform the public about the NQF

1. Inform the public about the sub-framework

1. Collectively advocate the NQF

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1. Role of SAQA and the QCs

Professional Bodies
SAQA
Quality Councils
Mutual

1. Develop implement policy criteria for
   recognising professional bodies registering
   professional designations
2. Recognise professional bodies
3. Register professional designations

1. Consult with professional bodies

1. Include professional bodies in quality assurance
   and the qualifications development

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1. Role of SAQA and the QCs

International relations
Quality Councils
SAQA
SAQA
Mutual

1. Provide an Education and Advisory Service

• Collaborate with international counterparts
  concerning QFs
• Inform the QCs and other parties about
  international best practice

1. Collaborate with international counterparts

1. Benchmark qualifications internationally
2. Consider international best practice

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1. Role of SAQA and the QCs

Other responsibilities
Quality Councils
SAQA

1. Advise Minister on sub-frameworks
2. Perform any other functions required by the NQF
   Act
3. Perform any function consistent with the NQF Act
   determined by the Minister

1. Provide an evaluation and advisory service
2. Advise Ministers on NQF matters
3. Perform any other functions required by the NQF
   Act
4. Perform any function consistent with the NQF Act
   determined by the Minister

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• 2.
• Progress and challenges in the Recognition of
  Prior Learning

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Early progress in SA
2. Progress and challenges in RPL

• RPL was placed on the post-apartheid agenda
• NQF with RPL as a key principle
• Developing trade union RPL capacity and defining
  experience
• Promoting emancipatory RPL
• Conceptual and implementation guides for RPL
  developed by SAQA in 2002 and 2004
• Exploring how knowledge, pedagogy, and power are
  enacted in RPL
• Distinguishing differing types of knowledge in
  RPL

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Progress in implementation
2. Progress and challenges in RPL

• Researching and critiquing RPL practice
• Attempting mass-scale RPL (e.g. developing and
  monitoring NPDE implementation UNISA UFS UWC
  SAPS SANDF INSETA PLC projects)
• Isolated pockets of excellent practice (OECD
  2009)

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Lessons learnt
2. Progress and challenges in RPL
RPL BENEFITS
RPL COSTS
RPL can benefit individuals, providers, organised
labour government
RPL IS CONTEXTUAL
Formality and high exchange value increase
costs There is no systematic RPL funding in SA
IDENTIFY CATALYSTS
Use contextual features as reference points, e.g.
particular groups, such as unemployed, poor,
low-literacy levels, drop outs
System flexibility through modularisation,
clearly described outcomes, partnerships, credit
accumulation and transfer
ADDRESS INHBITORS
Cost, complexity, lack of acceptance,
epistemological issues, lack of systematic
quality control
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Addressing the challenges
2. Progress and challenges in RPL
REMOVE KNOWN BARRIERS

• Gaps in the statutory framework Failure to
  develop Communities of Practice Challenges in
  FET, HE, industry and organised labour Lack of
  financial resources Lack of alignment between
  policy, practice, theory and research.

BUILD ON BEST PRACTICE

• Develop and expand from existing centres of best
  practice Co-ordinate quality assurance of RPL
  Publish and communicate RPL-related information
• Facilitate collaboration and partnerships
  Develop wider range of credible assessment
  methods/ RPL pedagogies

PROMOTE HIGH QUALITY RPL

• Disseminate items to promote common understanding
  of RPL Provide advice, counseling and guidance
  on all aspects of RPL Co-ordinate training of
  RPL advisors Gather and provide information on
  financial assistance for RPL Monitor trends in
  all aspects of RPL (NLRD) Create directory of
  RPL qualifications

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Possible ways forward
2. Progress and challenges in RPL

1. Address gaps in statutory framework
2. Create viable funding mechanisms
3. Drive mechanism for enhancing and measuring
   progress in RPL (e.g. though a National RPL
   Association)
4. Develop a wider range of credible RPL assessment
   methods and instruments
5. Encourage and facilitate the formation of
   partnerships for delivery
6. Coordinate the addressing of specific challenges
   in HE, FET, industry, and organised labour
7. Coordinate an RPL information and advocacy
   campaign
8. Coordinate RPL-related research and integrate
   findings into RPL processes
9. Support nodes of advisory services across the
   country

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Considering the OECD rating
2. Progress and challenges in RPL
Model Characteristics Country
System All inclusive policy and culture -
Quasi-system Inclusive policy Ireland, Netherlands, Denmark, Norway
Set of consistent practices With a vision Australia, Canada, South Africa, UK, Belgium (Flemish)
Existence of fragmented practice Clear aims Germany, Spain, Italy, Korea, Iceland, Switzerland
Embryonic practice Lukewarm interest Austria, Chile, Slovenia
Initial phase Modicum of interest Hungary, Greece, Czech Republic
Nothing No practices or public statements -
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Conclusions
2. Progress and challenges in RPL

• Strategic internationally-benchmarked decisions
  regarding the key drivers of RPL are needed, in
  relation to removing barriers building good
  practice advocacy and the creation of advisory
  services
• Coordination, collaboration, and communication
  are essential if existing work is to be
  acknowledged, developed, and taken to scale for a
  fully operational RPL system

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• 3.
• Plans regarding unregistered colleges and use of
  irregular qualifications

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SAQAs brand values
3. Unregistered colleges and irregular
qualifications

• Social and economic transformation
• Integration
• High energy and corporate vibrancy
• Quality service
• Integrity
• Quality qualifications
• Brand essence Authenticity

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Current activities
3. Unregistered colleges and irregular
qualifications

• SAQA is tracking and following up on providers
  that use logos and trademarks illegally
• SAQA is supporting the Department of Higher
  Education and Training to pursue unscrupulous
  providers.

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Looking forward
3. Unregistered colleges and irregular
qualifications

• Create tools for identification of unscrupulous
  providers
• Use evidence of quality provided by acknowledged
  competent authorities on academic quality (such
  as recognised accreditation and quality assurance
  bodies)
• Encourage providers of public and private funding
  to avoid funding unscrupulous providers and their
  students
• Inform the public about unscrupulous providers
• Pursue legal action against unscrupulous
  providers and use of fraudulent credentials
• Focus on cross-border unscrupulous providers

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Presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Higher
Education and Training
Samuel Isaacs Chief Executive Officer SAQA 26
August 2009