NQF, SAQA, NLRD, CHE, QCTO… SA’s education quality assurance bodies and systems comprise a whole lot of acronyms that can be very confusing but that is where we can help. We are going to break it all down into bite size chunks and at the end of this article, you will be able to perfectly understand this sentence:
Essentially you want a qualification that is listed on the NLRD which is recorded with SAQA and registered with the DHET and depending on the NQF level must be quality assured by QCTO, SETA, CHE or other bodies.
For students, one of the biggest concerns when selecting what to study is whether the qualification is recognised by an official quality assurance body. This assurance gives peace of mind that a) the course is of a high standard and b) it may assist with securing future employment. All the different bodies and systems can be baffling so let’s start with the basics:
NLRD, SAQA and DHET
Any learner achievement is recorded on the National Learner Record Database (NLRD) through the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). You want your academic record to be with the NLRD as this is the database with relevant details of every person who has completed qualifications. By having it recorded here, it ensures quality, credibility and permanently secured, no matter what happens to the qualification or the entity who provided it.
SAQA is the authority that lists all the valid qualifications in South Africa. However, before it can be listed with SAQA it has to be registered through the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) which is one of the departments of the South African government, the department that manages universities and post-secondary education.
National Qualifications Framework (NQF)
The South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) oversees the implementation of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). The NQF system is a set of principles and guidelines which classifies a person’s skills and knowledge according to a certain level. This is recognized nationally in South Africa. It comprises ten levels of learning achievements.
General Certificate
Elementary Certificate
Intermediate Certificate
National Certificate
Higher Certificate
Diploma / Advanced Certificate
Bachelor’s Degree / Advanced Diploma
Honours Degree / Postgraduate Diploma
Master’s Degree
Doctoral Degree
Quality Assurance All education providers must register with the relevant quality council else they will not be able to record the achievements of their learners on the National Learners Record Database (NLRD). This basically means that if your education provider is not registered, they are offering a programme that is classified as informal learning and that cannot be recognised as a formal qualification. Three different quality assurance bodies regulate each of SA’s three main kinds of education.
Umalusi
High school education is regulated by the Umalusi quality assurance body. These fall under the NQF levels 1-4.
Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO)
The Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) regulates all vocational (occupational) qualifications that fall in NQF levels 1-8. The QCTO also oversees qualifications that are offered through the Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) which was prompted by the country’s Skills Development Act. The SA economy is split up into different sectors (collectively covering every industry and occupation in the country) and each one has its own SETA offering learnerships, apprenticeships, unit-based skills and internships. Examples include AGRISETA, BANKSETA, SERVICES SETA etc but you can view the full list here. The QCTO ensures that all SETA qualifications are centrally monitored as well as offering relevant trades through standard curricula.
Council on Higher Education (CHE)
The Council on Higher Education (CHE) regulates academic qualifications (at NQF levels 5 -10) that can only be offered through Higher Education Institutions.
Professional Bodies
Although professional bodies cannot offer qualifications themselves, it is worth noting them as one of the quality assurance providers. Essentially, they guide the curriculum (aka the content) for NQF levels 1 - 6 that are needed for professional designations. These include Project Management South Africa (PMSA), South African Board for People Practices (SABPP), South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA), Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) and many more listed here.
FAQ About the Education System
What does it mean if a course is unaccredited? Some educational providers choose not to pursue accreditation through these bodies because it’s an admin-intensive process. The downside is that this means any skills students accrue through these organisations will be valid only so long as the provider is in existence. By getting a qualification recognised on the National Learner Record Database, there’s security that the qualification will always be valid, as assured by the South African Qualifications Authority. Non-accredited providers are also not allowed to offer degrees or other similar programmes.
What Does Accreditation Mean for Employment Prospects?
A valid and recognised NQF qualification is usually a prerequisite for advancement in South Africa currently. Employers typically look for people with recognised qualifications that can be verified to be valid. Sometimes, this means they can discount the validity of courses from non-accredited providers. From a promotion perspective, often having lots of certificates but no degree makes it difficult to ‘climb the ladder’.
Are SAQA-Registered Courses Recognised Overseas?
SAQA ensures that all programmes that are registered have a level of international comparability and the quality councils (CHE and QCTO) assure the public that the programmes being offered are comparable to equivalent qualifications globally.
What three questions should students ask before choosing what and where to study?
What’s the ROI? Students need to ensure that their programmes are leading to a certification that they will be happy with and that ensures longevity of their investment.
How does it position you for your chosen career
? Research shows that your first degree is a strong signal of your likely future career. Therefore, you need to choose a programme that positions you well professionally.
Is the course accredited? It is important to know that the programme is accredited in order to justify your investment in it.
From a first qualification to continuous learning opportunities, it’s wise to examine the expected return on study investment before picking a course to pursue. Don’t be afraid to ask questions – it’s important to understand exactly what you’re investing in.
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