Educational Terminology
Accreditation and Registration
Accreditation in Higher education is a collegial process based on self and peer assessment. Its purpose is the improvement of academic quality and public accountability. This continuing quality control process occurs usually every 2 to 4 years. Accreditation is a term covering both the initial and ongoing approval of a school, postsecondary institution or program offering as meeting the standards established by a nationally recognised accrediting body. Accrediting bodies are member organisations that undertake to monitor the academic and administrative quality of institutes. Definitions and Purposes of Accreditation (ada.org)
There are numerous accrediting bodies in South Africa.
Legal Definition of Registration:
1 : the act of registering;
2 : an entry in a register;
3 : a document certifying an act of registering.
It is important to note the difference between the two, as one can only be accredited by certain bodies and registered with others. For instance, an institute can be registered with the Department of Higher Education (DHET), but not accredited with them. An institute would be accredited with a SETA.
SACAP Validation
The confirmation by an officially approved body that learning outcomes or competencies acquired by an individual have been assessed against reference points or standards through pre-defined assessment methodologies. Architectural Learning Sites (ALSs) are responsible for preparing documentation and evidence for validation visits and for submitting proposals for new qualifications to the SACAP Educational Committee. FUE3G1xODkuUQMvR-0.PDF (sacapsa.com)
When can I apply for an internship?
The South African Council for the Architectural Professions (SACAP) supports and recommends to the Council of Higher Education (CHE) the implementation of the programme:
- Diploma in Integrated Architectural Technology, NQF 6: 240
- Diploma in Interior Architecture, NQF 6: 250
SAQA (South African Qualification Authority)
The primary function of SAQA is to ensure the development and implementation of a National Qualifications Framework (NQF) which contributes to the full development of each learner and to the social and economic development of the nation at large. The NQF and the Standards setting (saqa.org.za)
DHET (Department of Higher Education and Training)
The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) mission is to develop capable, well-educated and skilled citizens who are able to compete in a sustainable, diversified and knowledge-intensive international economy, which meets the development goals of the country. The Department will undertake this mission by: reducing skills bottlenecks, especially in priority skills areas; improving participation rates in the system; correcting distributions in the shape, size and distribution of access to post-school education and training; and improving the quality and efficiency in the system, its subsystems and institutions. Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) – Overview (nationalgovernment.co.za)
QCTO (Quality Council for Trades and Occupations)
The QCTO is one of three Quality Councils (QCs) responsible for a part of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). Collectively, the Quality Councils and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), work for the good of both learners and employers. Another role for the QCTO is to accredit Skills Development Providers (SDPs) who wish to offer qualifications registered on the OQSF. Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) – Overview (nationalgovernment.co.za)
CHE (Council on Higher Education)
The Council on Higher Education (CHE) is an independent statutory body established in May 1998 in terms of the Higher Education Act (Act No 101 of 1997), as amended and it functions as the Quality Council for Higher Education in terms of the National Qualifications Framework Act (Act No 67 0f 2008). Mandate | Council on Higher Education (che.ac.za)
Certifications
An educational certificate refers to the document that you receive upon the successful completion of an academic period. Once you are done with a Qualification, you receive a certificate, diploma or degree that shows how well you performed in that level of education. What is an educational certificate? | Study.com
Modalities
In order to guide lecturers, and administrative purposes (registration, classroom assignments, etc), generally engagement with students occur in three ways: In person(onsite), Hybrid(blend of online and face to face), or Online. In practice these are best seen along a continuum, from in-person to hybrid to fully online, depending on the amount and extent of in-person and online engagement there is in any one course. Teaching Modalities – Instructional Continuity @GU (georgetown.edu)
UMALUSI
Umalusi accredits private providers of education and training as well as private assessment bodies to offer tuition and/or assessment for qualification(s) on the General and Further Education and Training Qualifications Sub-Framework (GFETQSF).
This means that Umalusi accredits the following institutions:
- Independent schools;
- Private Further Education and Training Colleges (FET Colleges);
- Private Adult Education and Training providers;
- Private assessment bodies that assess the qualifications Umalusi certifies.
In accrediting institutions Umalusi is guided by policy documents that contain criteria for accreditation for each institutional type. Accreditation – Umalusi
SETA
The functions and responsibilities of SETAs are set out in Chapter 3, section 10 the Skills Development Act, 1998. Their main function is to contribute to the raising of skills, to bring skills to the employed, or those wanting to be employed, in their section. SETA’s | NSA (nationalskillsauthority.org.za)
NQF
South Africa needed to create a national education and training system that provides quality learning, is responsive to the ever-changing influences of the external environment and also promote the development of the nation that is committed to life-long learning. The National Qualifications Framework (NQF) is a strategy in response to these demands. It provides a framework within which the South African Qualifications system is constructed, representing a national effort at integrating education and training. The NQF is the set of principles and guidelines by which records of learner achievement are registered to enable national recognition of acquired skills and knowledge, thereby ensuring an integrated system that encourages life-long learning
