Question NW3513 to the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
11 December 2023 - NW3513
Zondo, Mr S S to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
Whether his department intends to implement mandatory experiential learning for undergraduate students in fields such as Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice to be stationed in correctional facilities in order to (a) gain experience while pursuing their studies and (b) provide much-needed support in the facilities; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Universities are responsible for developing qualifications that are aligned to their different missions, visions and strategic directions. Further, the choice of the appropriate form of work integrated learning (WIL) or experiential learning depends on the nature, purpose, outcomes and the NQF level of the qualification. Institutions have the responsibility to ensure that they have sufficient capacity to provide quality assured opportunities for WIL for students and structures and systems in place within professional settings and sites of practice to support student learning. Universities are also responsible for placing students at appropriate work places and to ensure that WIL is structured, properly supervised, recorded and assessed.
The Department of Higher Education and Training (the Department) on the other hand, utilises national policies to steer higher education; examples are the Higher Education Act of 1997, as amended, the National Plan on Higher Education, the Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework and the NQF Act. The Department does not have the mandate to regulate the content of universities’ qualifications, it can and does however offer incentives for universities to ensure their curriculum is relevant.