Assuring the education standards in general and further education and training in South Africa

The Umalusi name

noun Shepherd | noun: herder

Umalusi is derived from Nguni and it means “shepherd or herder.”

Umalusi takes care of one of the nation`s most treasured
assets – the standards of general and further education and training, hence its name. In Nguni culture ‘Umalusi’ also means the guardian of the family`s wealth.

About Umalusi

We develop and manage a sub-framework of qualifications, maintaining high standards by developing, evaluating, and moderating qualifications and curricula. Our responsibilities also include accrediting education and training providers, conducting quality research, and verifying the authenticity of certificates.

Umalusi Council is committed to issuing credible, standard-compliant certificates to learners across the nation.

About Us

The Umalusi name

noun Shepherd | noun: herder

Umalusi is derived from Nguni and it means “shepherd or herder.”

About Umalusi

Umalusi Council is committed to issuing credible, standard-compliant certificates to learners across the nation.

About Us

Umalusi Services

Accreditation of Institutions

Accreditation ensures that only the registered qualifications are offered by credible institutions and assessed by credible bodies.

Apply for Accreditation Accredited Institutions External Evaluators

Quality Assurance of Assessments

This is undertaken to ensure that qualifications standards are maintained.

School Qualifications Post-School Qualifications

Certification of Learners

This is the formal recognition of a qualification awarded to successful learners.

Replacement Certificate Application for Individual NATED N3 & NC(V) L2-L4

Verification of Qualifications

This is to establish the authenticity of qualifications and or certificates.

Authentication Verification Agencies

Qualifications

Umalusi appraises new qualifications and evaluates existing ones to ensure their relevance.

NSC & SC(a) NC(V) & GETC: ABET

Standardisation of Learner Results

This mitigates the impact of factors other than learners’ knowledge and abilities on performance.

Processes of Standardisation

Umalusi Publications

Reports

Strategic Reports

Accreditation Reports

Research Reports

Quality Assurance of Assessment Reports

Policies, Directives, Guidelines & Regulations

Strategic Reports

Accreditation Reports

Research Reports

Quality Assurance of Assessment Reports

Policies, Directives, Guidelines & Regulations

Makoya is an external newsletter that is published on a quarterly basis to inform stakeholders about new developments.

Makoya Newsletter

Frequently Asked Questions

Accreditation

Quality assurance (accreditation) of private colleges

View / Download FAQ's

Quality Assurance of Independent Schools

Private Assessment Bodies Seeking Accreditation

Private AET College

Certification and Verification

Does Umalusi verify N4-N6 Certificates?

All N4-N6 Certificates must be verified by the Department of Higher Education and Training

Am I able to apply directly to Umalusi for the verification of my certificates?

The Council has the responsibility for the issuing of the following certificates:

Senior Certificate
National Senior Certificate (FET colleges)
National N3 Certificate
Subject certificate
General Education and Training Certificate
Learning area certificate
National Certificate (Vocational)
National Senior Certificate (Schools)
Subject statement

Please note that Umalusi does not work directly with members of the public with regard to verification services. Individuals should apply through a verification agency for verification services, also refer to questions 1.20 and 1.21.

Please visit our website at www.umalusi.org.za under the verification heading for the names of agencies that have contracts with Umalusi. There are a number of other verification agencies which are not listed, but which have contracts with Umalusi, that can also be contacted. You are not limited to using an agency listed on the website.

Please note: Agencies charge varying fees for verification services. You are therefore advised to request prices from more than one agency before requesting the verification of your qualifications.

From which year does Umalusi verify certificates?

Which certificates does Umalusi verify?

Is it possible to combine two statements of results written in different years in order to obtain a National Senior Certificate?

What are the pass requirements for the National Senior Certificate if I want entrance to university?

The National Senior Certificate will be awarded to you if you have complied with the following requirements which form the basis for determining pass requirements to be accepted at University for the Higher Certificate, Diploma or Degree Studies programmes:

To obtain a National Senior Certificate you must have offered the following subjects in the examination:

Subject

One Home Language
One Home or First Additional Language
Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy
Life Orientation
3 x subjects selected from Group B

and further fulfil the minimum promotion requirements, viz:

achieve 40% in three subjects, one of which is an official language at Home Language level;
achieve 30% in three subjects; and
provide full evidence in the School-Based Assessment component, in the event of a subject failed.

To qualify for admission to Higher Certificate studies you need to pass with a minimum 30% in the language of learning and teaching of the Higher Education institution concerned.

To qualify for admission to Diploma Studies at a University, you need to pass the National Senior Certificate, with an achievement rating of 3 (moderate achievement, 40%-49%) or better in four recognised NSC 20-credit subjects, and a minimum 30% in the language of learning and teaching of the Higher Education institution concerned.

To qualify for admission to Bachelor`s Degree studies at a University, you need to pass with a minimum of 30% in the language of learning and teaching of the Higher Education institution concerned, in addition to an achievement rating of 4 (adequate achievement, 50%-59%) or better in four subjects chosen from the designated subject list determined by Higher Education.

I have rewritten and improved the results of some of my subjects. Can I get a new certificate with improved symbols?

If I have studied other courses at NQF level 4 or 5 such as a diploma in management, can you give me recognition of prior learning (RPL) or assess the results and grant me a National Senior Certificate?

Can I register with Umalusi for supplementary exams?

What is a subject certificate/subject statement/learning area certificate?

I wrote my examination in another country, can Umalusi issue me with an equivalent certificate?

My name has changed. Can I get a new certificate with my new name?

A change of personal details due to a marriage or civil union or arising from the situation where a person has changed his or her name through a legal process after the issuing of a certificate do not qualify for a re-issue.

The only changes to personal particulars that are considered once the window period of one year from the certification date has elapsed are:

Your ID number has changed due to an error by Home Affairs where you and another person were issued with the same ID number. You will be required to submit the original certificate as well as the letter from Home Affairs indicating the change. Application must be made at any of the Departments of Education.
Your ID number has changed due to an error made by Home Affairs in respect of gender. You will be required to submit your original certificate (not a replacement), copies of the old and new ID document and the letter from Home Affairs indicating the change in ID number. You must submit your application at one of the Departments of Education.
Your gender, your names and ID number have been changed.

How do I verify my certificate for overseas study?

How do I verify my certificate when I have to submit the qualification to the Department of International Relations and Co-operation (DIRCO) for authentication and then to a foreign embassy?

You will need to make a payment to Umalusi and then send certified copies of your ID document or passport as well as your certificate (not older than 3 months) to verification@umalusi.org.za with Authentication for the DIRCO in the subject line. Fees vary from year to year. The applicable fees can be requested from Umalusi by sending an e-mail to verification@umalusi.org.za

New qualifications
The National Senior Certificate for Adults (NASCA)
The General Education and Training Certificate for Adults (GETCA)

What should one do if the certificate was issued with incorrect personal information?

Within the six month period after certification, but not later than a year after the examination, Umalusi will consider a request for a re-issue.

Administrative Errors

Within the six month period after certification, but not later than a year after the last examination, Umalusi will consider a request for a re-issue in the following cases where there is sufficient proof that the mistake on the certificate, either with regard to a subject mark, subject choice or a change in result, or some aspect of the personal details, is incorrect because of a registration error by the school or the assessment body. Such a request will be considered, if it is submitted within a six month period after the issuing of the certificate to the candidate, but not later than a year after the examination.

The following procedure is required in an application for a re-issue

the request for a re-issue must be made through an assessment body;
the original certificate must be returned; and
A change to an original certificate will not be considered unless the original certificate (not a replacement) is returned.

Re-issue: Legal alteration of personal details

Can I get a confirmation letter of my achievements from the assessment body if I have lost my certificate?

Can I get a confirmation letter of my achievements from Umalusi if I have lost my certificate?

I have lost my certificate. Where can I get copy?

Umalusi is responsible for the replacement of the Senior Certificate and National Senior Certificate as from September 1992.

To apply for a replacement (in lieu of a lost certificate) of your matric/Gr12 certificate the following is required:

A completed application form, which can be obtained at any of the departments of education or on the website of the National Department of Basic Education (www.education.gov.za)

APPLICATIONS FORMS MUST BE COMPLETED TAKING CARE OF THE DETAIL REQUIRED, E.G. YEAR QUALIFICATIONS OBTAINED, SURNAME AND NAMES UNDER WHICH THE PERSON QUALIFIED FOR THE CERTIFICATE AND WHERE POSSIBLE THE SCHOOL NAME.

APPLICATIONS FOR LOST CERTIFICATE / RE-ISSUES CAN BE DONE AT ANY OF THE DEPARTMENTS OF EDUCATION, IRRESPECTIVE OF WHERE YOU WROTE YOUR MATRIC, FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU HAVE WRITTEN THE EXAM IN A SCHOOL IN EASTERN CAPE, YOU CAN APPROACH THE MPUMALANGA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR A REPLACEMENT CERTIFICATE.

An affidavit – All applications for replacement of lost/damaged certificates should be accompanied by a signed affidavit from a police station stating the status of the original certificate e.g. stolen; lost in a move.

IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE PREVIOUS CERTIFICATE IS CANCELLED WHEN A REPLACEMENT CERTIFICATE IS ISSUED.

A certified copy of the candidate`s identity document is required. (This copy must be certified by a commissioner of oaths. A copy can be made and certified either at a police station or at an attorney`s office where they should do it for free.)
Proof of payment of administration fees – An administration fee is payable with a request for a certificate. The fee payable can be established with the accredited assessment body. The fee is reviewed on an annual basis.

Please note the following important information:

A certificate cannot be issued on the same day that the application is submitted. The processing time is 4 – 6 weeks under normal circumstances.

A request for replacements for certificates obtained prior to November 1992 can be made from the office of any of the Departments of Education.

For which qualifications does Umalusi issue certificates?

Presently Umalusi Council issues the following certificates:

Schooling qualifications:
The Senior Certificate (SC) which was offered before 2008
The National Senior Certificate (NSC) which replaced the Senior Certificate in schools and commenced in 2008
The Amended Senior Certificate, which will be written for the first time in June 2014

TVET/FET qualifications:
The National N3 Certificate
The National Senior Certificate: Colleges – phased out in 2011, but still certified for candidates combining the National N3 Certificate with two languages; this option will be phased out once the Amended Senior Certificate is offered
The National Certificate: Vocational (NCV) Levels 2 – 4 – commenced in 2007, 2008 and 2009 respectively

Adult Education and Training qualifications;
The General Education and Training Certificate for Adults (GETC: ABET)

Can I get a National Senior Certificate if I wrote my subjects over more than one examination?

Yes, you can improve the status of a certificate issued to you, taking into consideration the minimum higher education admission requirements, e.g. from a National Senior Certificate with access to Diploma Studies to access to Bachelors Degree studies, by completing the outstanding requirements. A new certificate, taking into consideration the requirements will be issued, if this does not exceed a maximum of 3 examination sittings.

What happens if I have already paid for the verification of a certificate only to discover that Umalusi does not have the necessary records?

Will Umalusi continue to issue the Senior Certificate after it is phased out in 2014?

Which qualifications does Umalusi issue certificates for?

Presently Umalusi Council issues the following certificates:

Schooling qualifications:

The Senior Certificate (SC) which was offered before 2008 and is being phased out – its final examination will be administered in 2014
The National Senior Certificate (NSC) which replaced the Senior Certificate and commenced in 2008

Vocational qualifications:

The National Technical Certificate N3
The National Senior Certificate: Colleges – phasing out by the end of 2011
The National Certificate: Vocational (NCV) – commenced in 2007

Adult Education and Training qualifications;
The General education and Training Certificate for adults (GETC: ABET)

I lost my Matric certificate

Umalusi is responsible for the replacement of the Senior Certificate and National Senior Certificate as from September 1992.

NOTE: Applications for lost or replacement certificates must be done directly with Umalusi by clicking here.

To apply for a replacement (in lieu of a lost certificate) of your Matric/Gr12 certificate, the following is required:

A completed application form, which can be obtained at any of the Departments of Education or on the website of the National Department of Basic Education (www.education.gov.za)

Applications forms must be completed taking care of the detail required, e.g. year qualifications obtained, surname and names under which the person qualified for the certificate and where possible the school name.

Applications for lost certificate / re-issues can be done at any of the Departments of Education, irrespective of where you wrote your matric, for example, if you have written the exam at a school in Eastern Cape, you can approach the Mpumalanga Department of Education for a replacement certificate. This statement is in exception of IEB and SACAI, as lost certificates can only be applied from them.

An affidavit – All applications for replacement of lost/damaged certificates should be accompanied by a signed affidavit from a police station stating the status of the original certificate e.g. stolen; lost in a move.
A certified copy of the candidate’s identity document is required. (This copy must be certified by a commissioner of oaths. A copy can be made and certified either at a police station or at an attorney’s office where they should do it for free).
Proof of payment of administration fees – An administration fee is payable with a request for a certificate. The fee payable can be established with the accredited assessment body. The fee is reviewed on an annual basis.
An electronic request must be submitted to Umalusi by the Assessment Body after processing an application form. This request should be sent in a form of a dataset as stipulated by the Council.

It should be noted that the previous certificate is cancelled when a replacement certificate is issued. Should it happen that a candidate find a certificate that was lost/replaced, then the candidate should know that the certificate is invalid.

Please note the following important information:

A certificate cannot be issued on the same day that the application is submitted. The processing time is 1 – 6 weeks under normal circumstances.

A request for replacements of certificates obtained prior to November 1992 can be made from the office of any of the Departments of Education and the same procedure followed. However, it should be noted that this certificate will be printed by the relevant Assessment Body and not Umalusi. The processing time is 1 to 3 weeks under normal circumstances.

Contact details for the various provincial and National Departments are as follows:

EASTERN CAPE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT Exam Centre 30 Durban Street King Williams’s Town 5600 Tel: 043 604 7724	FREE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT 55 Elizabeth Street, 1st Floor Fidel Castro Building, Bloemfontein Tel: 051 404 8252
GAUTENG EDUCATION DEPARTMENT 111 Commissioner Street Johannesburg Tel: 011 355 0611	KWAZULU-NATAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT 72 Stanger Street Malgate Building Durban Tel: 031 327 0312
MPUMULANGA EDUCATION DEPARTMENT Beta Building SADC Street Middelburg Tel: 013 766 0051	NORTHERN CAPE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT Buckley road Ex-Perseverance college Kimberley Tel: 053 839 6503
LIMPOPO EDUCATION DEPARTMENT crn 113 Biccard & 24 Excelsior Polokwane Tel: 015 290 7740	NORTH WEST EDUCATION DEPARTMENT 90 Van Der Hoff Potchefstroom Tel : 018 388 0827
WESTERN CAPE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT Grand Central Towers Lower Parliament Street cape town Tel: 021 467 2936	DEPARTMENT OF BASIC EDUCATION 222 Struben Street Sol Plaatjie building Pretoria Central Tel: 012 357 3255
DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION 222 Struben Street Sol Plaatjie building Pretoria Central Tel: 012 357 3255	SACAI 278 Serene Street Garsfontein 0042 Tel: 012 348 5650 info@sacai.org.za
I.E.B Contact: Email: assess@ieb.co.za Tel: 011 483 9773	ERCO Certification@umalusi.org.za

Assessments

Why does Umalusi have to quality assure matric and other examinations?

In terms of the GENFETQA Act of 2001(as amended in 2008), Umalusi is required to approve the release of results once it is satisfied that the examinations have been conducted in a credible manner. The Act also indicates that Umalusi is permitted to adjust the raw marks when necessary.

Gaining the approval of the Umalusi Council for the release of the results is a complex process, of which standardization is one of the last steps. Approval of results is determined by how well the assessment bodies responsible for the examinations have complied with all the policies, directives and guidelines related with the qualification being resulted.

These policies and directives are issued by Umalusi and the Departments of Basic Education and Higher Education and Training, and also by the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) and SACAI: (South African Comprehensive Assessment Institute) for their own systems. Such approval is also dependent on whether any irregularities could be considered to have undermined the credibility and integrity of the examinations.

What is standardisation?

Standardisation is a process used the world over to mitigate the effect of factors other than the learners` knowledge and aptitude on the learners` performance. In South Africa, the standardisation of results has been used since 1918 by Umalusi's predecessors, the Joint Matriculation Board (JMB) (1918-1992) and South African Certification Council (SAFCERT) (1992-2001). In other words, all South Africans who have obtained their qualifications through these bodies have had their subjects standardised prior to their results being announced.

A large-scale examination system such as the National Senior Certificate (NSC) inevitably experiences many sources of variability, despite the best efforts of examiners, markers and moderators. These can include changes in levels of difficulty in question papers across years: so, for example, one year's Mathematics papers may be more difficult than the ones in the preceding years, and so, to prevent that cohort from being unduly disadvantaged, their marks may be adjusted marginally towards the historical average. Variability may also result when errors occur in papers, and inconsistency may arise in the marking, for example, across provinces.

Standardisation works on the widely accepted assumption that, for large populations, the distribution of aptitude and intelligence does not change appreciably from one year to the next or from one large population to a similarly large population; and that it is therefore reasonable to expect that, all things being equal, this year's cohort of learners should perform at a level more or less comparable to last year's cohort. Standardisation is the accepted process used to reduce fluctuations in learner performance that result from identified factors within the examination processes themselves rather than from the knowledge, aptitude and abilities of the learners.

Are the standardisation decisions taken by Umalusi confidential?

Prior to 2010, the standardisation decisions were treated as confidential. All international assessment bodies treat this information as confidential. In 2010, Umalusi took the decision to disclose the standardisation process and standardization decisions to take the public into confidence by demonstrating the integrity of the process.
Who is involved in standardisation?
Standardisation is a process where Umalusi, as the quality assuror takes into account – on a subject-by-subject basis – all the factors which may have unduly advantaged or disadvantaged the cohort of learners under consideration.

While Umalusi`s Quality Assurance of Assessment (QAA) unit is primarily responsible for the ongoing quality assurance work, it works closely with a committee of Umalusi Council, the Assessment Standards Committee. This committee is responsible for the standardisation and moderation of internal assessment results as well as the examination results for all qualifications that Umalusi certifies.

The Assessment Standards Committee comprises statisticians with relevant experience and knowledge in the handling of statistically-oriented research projects, research design, the conduct and evaluation of research projects and statistical standardisation processes.

It also includes professionals in education with specific knowledge, experience and expertise in assessment and curriculum, and in handling of system-wide assessment research projects.

Who is involved in standardisation?

Standardisation is a process where Umalusi, as the quality assuror takes into account – on a subject-by-subject basis – all the factors which may have unduly advantaged or disadvantaged the cohort of learners under consideration.

While Umalusi's Quality Assurance of Assessment (QAA) unit is primarily responsible for the ongoing quality assurance work, it works closely with a committee of Umalusi Council, the Assessment Standards Committee. This committee is responsible for the standardisation and moderation of internal assessment results as well as the examination results for all qualifications that Umalusi certifies.

It also includes professionals in education with specific knowledge, experience and expertise in assessment and curriculum, and in handling of system-wide assessment research projects.

Who conducts the quality assurance processes?

All processes are overseen by a Committee of Umalusi Council namely the Assessment Standards Committee. The Quality Assurance of Assessment (QAA) Unit ensures that all processes are carried out effectively and efficiently. Part of this is the contracting of external moderators for each subject within a qualification (sometimes moderators work in panels), monitors and other professional staff as required. Generally contracted staff is drawn from universities and senior staff levels in providers who receive annual training to ensure consistency.

How does the standardization process work? How does standardisation happen?

In order to guide the final standardisation meetings with each of the assessment bodies – the Department of Basic Education, the Department of Higher Education and Training, ERCO and the IEB – the Assessment Standards Committee holds pre-standardisation meetings. There it receives, among other things,

Detailed analyses of the question papers in terms of their compliance with prescribed subject assessment guidelines (SAGs);
Detailed analyses of the question papers in terms of their cognitive levels;
Comparative analyses of the current year`s question papers in relation to the question papers of the previous years;
Input from internal moderators and chief markers
Input by Umalusi's evaluators and external moderators, as well as verification of the quality of the marking.

It then deliberates on the preliminary results submitted by the relevant assessment body, and, in the light of all reports received, decides upon a course of action – to accept the raw marks (always the preferred option as it means that the other moderation processes have functioned well), or to consider an adjustment to the marks.

At the standardisation meetings, delegations from the assessment bodies present their understanding of the subject results for Umalusi's consideration. Unless the assessment body presents new information regarding a factor that has not been considered in the pre-standardisation meeting – one which is felt to impact on the validity of the examination results – the decision taken at pre-standardisation stands.

At the standardisation meeting of the National Senior Certificate, for example, the delegation of the Department of Basic Education is led by the Director General. The delegation from the Department includes executive and senior managers of the Department as well as the Heads of Provincial Departments of Education and their senior managers. A similar delegation from the Department of Higher Education and Training works with Umalusi in the resulting of the National Certificate (Vocational). Each of these teams will have had their own pre-standardisation meetings to prepare for the meeting with Umalusi. The ERCO and the IEB delegations will have done the same.

Observers from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), Higher Education South Africa (HESA), the South African Council of Educators (SACE) and all the teacher unions are invited to attend. In addition, colleagues from other examination boards or councils elsewhere in Africa are invited to attend as observers.

During the standardisation meetings, Umalusi and the assessment body concerned deal with the results on a subject-by-subject basis. In other words, it is not possible at that meeting to establish what the overall pass rate will be. The final pass rate will emerge only once the results for the individual candidates have been compiled – a job that can only happen after standardisation has been completed and the standardisation decisions effected.

At the standardisation meeting, the assessment body is allowed to make a case for adjusting the marks for a subject or recommends that the raw marks be accepted as final. Umalusi's Assessment Standards Committee then may interrogate the position proposed by the assessment body, and then makes its decision in the light of all the information available to it.

How does the standardisation process work?

In order to guide the final standardisation meetings with each of the assessment bodies – the Department of Basic Education, the Department of Higher Education and Training, Independent Examinations Board, South African Comprehensive Assessment Institute and Benchmark Assessment Agency – the Assessment Standards Committee holds pre-standardisation meetings. There it receives, among other things,

Detailed analyses of the question papers in terms of their compliance with prescribed subject assessment guidelines (SAGs);
Detailed analyses of the question papers in terms of their cognitive levels;
Comparative analyses of the current year`s question papers in relation to the question papers of the previous years;
Input from internal moderators and chief markers
Input by Umalusi's evaluators and external moderators, as well as verification of the quality of the marking.

At the standardisation meeting of the National Senior Certificate, for example, the delegation of the Department of Basic Education is led by the Director General. The delegation from the Department includes executive and senior managers of the Department as well as the Heads of Provincial Departments of Education and their senior managers. A similar delegation from the Department of Higher Education and Training works with Umalusi in the resulting of the National Certificate (Vocational) and the General Education and Training Certificate for Adults (GETC). Each of these teams will have had their own pre-standardisation meetings to prepare for the meeting with Umalusi. The SACAI, Benchmark and IEB delegations will have done the same.

Observers from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), Universities South Africa(USaF), the South African Council of Educators (SACE) and all the teacher unions are invited to attend. In addition, colleagues from other examination boards or councils elsewhere in Africa are invited to attend as observers.

At the standardisation meeting, the assessment body is allowed to make a case for adjusting the marks for a subject or recommends that the raw marks be accepted as final. Umalusi’s Assessment Standards Committee then may interrogate the position proposed by the assessment body, and then makes its decision in the light of all the information available to it.

Once the Assessment Standards Committee is satisfied that candidates have been fairly treated and that the results are a fair reflection of the cohort's performance on that particular set of examinations, it recommends to Council that it approve the results, and that they may be released by the Minister concerned.

What are the processes involved?

Standard setting through development and implementation of assessment policies and directives
Moderation of the standards of examination papers
Moderation of the standards of internal assessment
Monitoring the administration of national examinations and marking processes
Moderation of the standard of marking
Monitoring and verification of resulting
Standardisation of results and approval of results for release

Which assessments does Umalusi quality assure?

Umalusi is the Quality Council responsible for setting standards and quality assuring qualifications for general and further education and training. As such it has developed a sub-framework of qualifications which consists of existing qualifications and proposals for some new qualifications. The existing qualifications that are assessed through national examinations are as follows:

Schooling qualifications:

The Amended Senior Certificate (ASC)
The National Senior Certificate (NSC)

Vocational qualifications:

The National Technical Certificate N3
The National Certificate: Vocational (NCV)

Adult Education and Training qualifications;

The General Education and Training Certificate for Adults (GETC: ABET)

Qualifications

Can I apply for a combination of my results in order to achieve a full qualification?

Yes. If you have written and passed subjects over a number of years and the combined result complies with the requirements for a full qualification. This can be requested at one of the Departments of Education, which will forward the request to Umalusi for the issue of a certificate.

What must Umalusi do besides develop qualifications for registration on the NQF?

Umalusi must:

Quality assure qualifications and curricula
Develop and implement policies for assessment, recognition of prior learning and credit accumulation and transfer
Quality assure assessment of qual ifications on the General and Further Education and Training Qualifications Framework at exit points
Quality assure provision through an accreditation process for private providers off education and training and assessment bodies
Certificate learner attainments
Research matters related to the General and Further education and Training Qualifications Framework
Provide advice to the Minister

What is Umalusi's role with respect to qualifications?

What must Umalusi do to advance the objectives of the NQF?

Umalusi must develop, foster and maintain a sub-framework of qualification for general and further education and training, and ensure that it articulates with other sub-frameworks in the education and training system to form an integrated and transparent national framework for the recognition of learning achievements; and
Ensure that the qualifications on its sub-framework are internationally comparable and of an acceptable quality.

Which pieces of legislation and policies guide Umalusi in implementing its mandate?

Umalusi derives its mandate from the NQF Act No 67 of 2008, the National Education Policy Act No 27 of 1996 and its founding act the General and Further Education and Training Quality Assurance Act No 52 of 2001 amended in 2008. Umalusi is also guided by the South African Schools Act No 84 of 1996; the FET Colleges Act No 16 of 2006 amended 2011; the Adult Basic Education and Training Act No 52 of 2000 amended 2010 as well as the various policies issued by the Ministers of Education in respect of accreditation of private providers and assessment bodies and the various qualifications Umalusi certifies. Umalusi is further guided by its own policies:

The General and Further Education and Training Qualifications Framework; and
Standard Setting and Quality Assurance for the General and Further Education and Training Qualifications Framework.

What is the relationship between South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), Umalusi and the NQF?

The General and Further Education and Training Qualifications Framework; and
Standard Setting and Quality Assurance for the General and Further Education and Training Qualifications Framework.

The NQF Act mandated SAQA with the development and articulation of the NQF and created three quality councils, namely Council on Higher Education, Umalusi the council for Quality Assurance of General and Further Education and Training, and the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations, each responsible for a sub-framework of qualifications within an integrated National Qualifications framework. Umalusi is the Quality Council that must ensure that quality is achieved in the delivery of the outcomes of general and further education training in the national education and training system – this means in schools, FET colleges, adult learning centres and assessment bodies that examine qualifications in general and furthered education (NQF 1-4). As such Umalusi sets standards for general and further education and training through the development and management of a sub-framework of qualifications for the sector, and the implementation of the appropriate quality assurance processes.

How does the National Qualifications Framework Act impact on the national education and training system?

What learners should know before enrolling for a study programme or qualification

Before you register for any qualification or programme

Ensure that:

You fully understand the accreditation status of the institution offering the qualification and that
You fully understand the status of the qualification or programme.

Use the following information when considering Where to enrol and What to enrol for.

Umalusi (the Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training) is an official body that accredits private providers to offer particular qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) at levels 1-4.

Umalusi accredits:

Private FET colleges
Independent schools
Private adult education and training providers

NB: Public providers such as public schools, public adult learning centres and public FET colleges are not required to seek accreditation

Registration and Accreditation of Private Providers

To ensure that you enrol with a credible provider

Make sure that the institution is registered by the appropriate Department of Education and
Secondly, it is accredited by Umalusi or another Quality Council or body such as a Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA)

These are two separate, but related processes

Firstly

All private providers of education and training that offer qualifications certified by Umalusi (above) MUST be registered with the state in order to operate legally in South Africa. This means that independent schools must register with the appropriate Provincial Department of Education and private FET colleges must register with the Department of Higher Education and Training in Pretoria.

Note: An exception has been made for private providers that offer short courses and skills programmes exclusively accredited by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) – these do not have to register.

Private providers are required to display their registration certificate publicly and you, as a prospective client, MUST ask to see the certificate of registration. The certificate of registration will include the national qualifications which the provider is registered to offer.

Secondly

Private providers must be accredited either with Umalusi or another quality assurance body to offer a specific qualification. Quality assurance bodies issue letters or certificates accrediting a provider. You should check whether a provider is accredited to offer the national qualification you wish to enrol for and ask for the accreditation number.

A list of private institutions accredited by Umalusi can be found on our website at www.umalusi.org.za

If you want to check on a provider accredited by QCTO or a SETA (Sector Education and Training Authority) go to the website of the South African Qualifications Authority at www.saqa.org.za and click on the links with the various SETAs where you can access lists of accredited providers.

Qualifications offered by Private Providers

Private providers may provide a range of qualifications. These may include formal credit-bearing qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (which they must be accredited to offer), and non-formal provider programmes. Also, some institutions offer foreign programmes, which are quality assured by foreign bodies.

Students must therefore, before they enrol for a qualification, ascertain whether the qualification they are registering for, is a formal national qualification, or a non- formal provider programme.

Umalusi certifies a number of formal qualifications offered by both public and private providers and consequently accredits such providers to offer these qualifications. These are:

The National Senior Certificate(NSC)
The National Certificate Vocational (NCV)
The National Technical Certificate (N3) Engineering as well as
The General Education and Training Certificate: Adult (GETC)

Qualifications and Programmes

Private providers generally offer three main types of qualifications, namely

National Qualifications (Qualifications registered on the NQF)
Provider Programmes (Their own programmes which are non-formal)
Agent Qualifications (Qualifications offered on behalf of a foreign awarding body)

National Qualifications

National Qualifications are formal qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), which is a centralized register of all the nationally recognized qualifications in South Africa.

National qualifications are developed and quality assured by Quality Councils, namely Umalusi, the Council on Higher Education (CHE) and the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO), under which all the SETAs fall. National qualifications carry national credits and are certificated by the Quality Councils and in the case of higher education by universities, but NOT by a provider. Examples of such qualifications are:

The National Senior Certificate as offered by most high schools in South Africa
The GETC: adult as offered by many adult education and training providers
The National Certificate Vocational (NCV) offered by public FET colleges and some private colleges
Further Education and Training Certificates of various kinds also offered by FET colleges, such as Perishable Produce Exportation or Mechanical Engineering: Pipe-Fitting or Small Business Management and so forth

There are many such qualifications registered on the NQF.

NB: To check whether a qualification is registered on the NQF go to the website of the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) at www.saqa.org.za

Please keep the following in mind before you enrol for a National Qualification:

If you wish to enrol for a nationally recognised qualification ask the provider for written proof that the qualification is registered on the NQF – the NQF ID number should be in evidence or check whether it is registered by going to www.saqa.org.za.
Ask for evidence that the provider is registered with the Department of Education to offer specific national qualifications – a certificate should be publicly displayed.
Ask for evidence that the provider has approval or accreditation from the relevant Quality Council such as QCTO or Umalusi or the Council on Higher Education (CHE) to offer the qualification.
If you are enrolling for an N Certificate / NC(V) or National Senior Certificate, keep in mind that you will write national examinations set by the Department of Basic Education, Department of Higher Education and Training, the Independent Examinations Board and the South African Comprehensive Assessment Institute. Providers are not allowed to set their own examinations or issue certificates for these qualifications. These qualifications are certified by Umalusi.

Provider Programmes

If you are enrolling on a Provider Programme remember that they serve a different purpose to National Qualifications. Provider Programmes are usually designed to address specific education, training and development needs that may not necessarily be addressed by National Qualifications, for example courses for self-enrichment, continuous professional development, self- employment, or orientation to a specific career.
Provider Programmes are quality assured and certified by the provider, i.e. the college, itself.; they are not registered on the NQF; do not carry any national credits; and do not lead to a National Qualification.

Agent Qualifications

Some providers offer qualifications and programmes on behalf of professional or foreign awarding bodies. Some of these qualifications are national qualifications registered on the NQF while others are not, and some are foreign qualifications. The provider acts as an agent of the professional or awarding body. Examples include qualifications and programmes examined and certified by Pitmans, CompTia, Cambridge, Microsoft, IMM, ICSA (professional body), City and Guilds, Edexel and so forth etc.

Please remember: it is not illegal to offer agent qualification, providing the provider is licensed to offer them by a foreign awarding body or a professional body and the provider is registered with the Department of Education.

To summarise:

Decide what kind of programme or qualification you wish to enrol for, i.e. national qualification, provider programme or agency qualification, remembering to also establish what the certificate will mean once you have completed it – Will it be recognized nationally? Will it ensure a job? Will it be recognized internationally? Will it provide enrichment or professional development?
Is the provider accredited either with Umalusi or QCTO or CHE to offer the national qualification you wish to register for? A list of providers accredited with Umalusi can be found at www.umalusi.org.za; QCTO (SETAs) accredited providers can be found on the SETA websites and also accessed through the SAQA website at www.saqa.org.za
Is the provider registered with the Department of Education? For FET colleges check on the following website: www.dhet.gov.za ; for independent schools contact the appropriate provincial department of education.

IF YOU NEED ADVICE OF ANY KIND, CALL OR VISIT

NQF helpline at:

Helpline Number: 0860 35 66 35
SMS/Text Message: 0722 045 056
Email: careerhelp@dhet.gov.za
Working hours:
Mondays – Fridays: 08:00 – 16:30
Weekends and public holidays – closed
Website: www.nqf.org.za

ACRONYMS AND DEFINITIONS:

CHE:	Council for Higher Education – the ETQA that accredits and quality assures higher education providers and qualifications such as universities and other higher education providers
FET:	Further Education and Training – refers to a level on the NQF from NQF 2-4 (Grades 10-12)
NQF:	National Qualifications Framework – a list of nationally recognised qualifications at different levels of the system namely general education; further education and higher education Certificate: National Technical Certificates N1-N3 – qualification offered in FET colleges but being phased out
NCV:	National Certificate Vocational – new vocational qualification developed by the Department of Education to replace the National Technical Certificate
QCTO:	Quality Council for Trades and Occupations
SAQA:	South African Qualifications Authority – the body established to oversee the establishment and maintenance of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF)
SETA:	Sector Education and Training Authority – every industrial sector in South Africa has a SETA that ensures that training for the sector is funded and delivered in terms of the Skill Development Act. More recently, with the establishment of the QCTO, the quality assurance function previously located in SETAs, has been relocated to QCTO.

To contact us

Umalusi

Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training
37 General Van Reyneveld Street
Persequor Technopark
Pretoria
South Africa

Lucky Ditaunyane
Senior Manager Public Relations and Communication
Tel: +27 12 349 1510
Ext: 208
Fax: +27 086 521 1982
Email: info@umalusi.org.za
Website: www.umalusi.org.za