Question NW3610 to the Minister of Basic Education

Reply:

Umalusi’s response to question:

(a) How and (b) on what legal basis has Umalusi:

      (i)  monitored the performance of provincial education departments since the repeal of section 22 of the General and             Further Education and Training Quality Assurance Act, 2001 (Act No. 58 of 2001, as amended in 2008)?

Umalusi’s response:

In terms of section 27 (i) of the National Qualifications Framework Act, 2008 (Act No. 67 of 2008), Umalusi, as the Quality Council, is required to develop and implement policy for quality assurance. In this regard Umalusi, for example, commenced in 2009 with the process of conducting systemic evaluation for the General Education and Training Certificate, and the National Certificate (Vocational), by monitoring the Department of Higher Education and Training and the provincial education departments. Umalusi further plans to conduct systemic evaluation for the National Senior Certificate in due course.

Umalusi monitors the conduct, administration and management of examinations of all the qualifications on its sub-framework across the provincial education departments.

      (ii) Accredited provincial education departments since the repeal of section 22 of the General and Further Education              and Training Quality Assurance Act, 2001 (Act No. 58 of 2001, as amended in 2008).

Umalusi’s response:

Umalusi has never accredited any national or provincial education department, as the national and provincial education departments are deemed accredited.

      (iii) exercised control over provincial education departments since the repeal of section 22 of the General and Further             Education and Training Quality Assurance Act, 2001 (Act No. 58 of 2001, as amended in 2008).

Umalusi’s response:

The National Qualifications Framework mandates Umalusi to:-

• develop a sub-framework of qualifications;
• recommend the qualifications to the South African Qualifications Authority for registration;
• develop and implement policies for the quality assurance of those qualifications; and
• advise the Minister on the enactment of the qualifications.

On this basis, and the fact that the Department offers and assesses the qualifications registered on Umalusi’s sub-framework, Umalusi monitors their enactment and assessment, reports their performance to the Minister, and recommends steps to rectify any deficiencies.

 

END