Umalusi’s presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education on the

1. Umalusi’s presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education on the 2011/12 Annual Report Tuesday, 16 October 2012 ______________________ Dr Mafu S Rakometsi

2. Purpose / Mandate Summarised • External Environment : Impact on Umalusi • Organisational Performance per Unit • Financial Information • Current Issues and Way Forward • Conclusion • Overview

3. Umalusi’s mandate is determined by two Acts namely, the National Qualifications Framework Act of 2008; and the General and Further Education and Training Quality Assurance Act of 2001 amended in 2008. Umalusi therefore reports as a new Quality Council, although there are matters which are still in transition and will require clarification. • Mandate Summarised

4. Qualifications and Standards: • Develop and manage a sub-framework of qualifications in collaboration with SAQA and the other two QCs supported by the necessary quality assurance policies and processes. • Mandate Summarised 2

5. Quality Assurance: • Develop and implement the necessary policies iro: • Quality assurance of provision - Accredit private providers of education and training and assessment and monitor the public system; • Quality assure assessments at exit points and certify learner achievement • Mandate Summarised 2

6. Information • Maintain a database of learner achievements and related matters; and submit such data in a format determined in consultation with the SAQA for recording on the national learners’ records database Research • Commission and publish research on issues of importance to the development and implementation of the sub-framework • Mandate Summarised 2

7. Advice and Collaboration Formalization of relationships which include: • Advice to the relevant Minister on matters relating to the GFET sub-framework of qualifications • Collaboration with the SAQA and other QCs in terms of the NQF • Establishment of co-operative relationships with professional bodies • Advocacy of the sub-framework and its qualifications • Mandate Summarised 4

8. Certain aspects in the macro environment that have affected Umalusi are as follows: • The passing of the NQF Act in 2009; changes in the roles and responsibilities of the various bodies in the quality assurance landscape; • The amendment of the various acts that govern the work of the QCs which has required more capacity and a review of Umalusi’s positions and approaches; • Varying views on the nature of standard setting and quality assurance • External Environment : Impact

9. Ministerial guidelines for 2011/2012 • NQF Implementation Framework from DHET putting pressure on policy development in an uncertain environment • The conceptualization of the post schools system through a green paper process which is nearing completion iro public comment • External Environment : Impact

10. GFET FW has not been regulated to date which makes for further uncertainty (public comment and SAQA advice to the Minister of HET): • Review of the NCV – Ministerial Task team – not finalized yet • Revision of the N-courses – in limbo – lack of direction (SAQA advice to the Minister DHET ; SETA developments iro artisan qualifications etc.) • Revision of the school curriculum – CAPS – ongoing • No further progress on development of new qualifications such as the NASCA (public comment completed) and NIC • External Environment : Impact

11. Umalusi argues that educational standards and quality are set and maintained through a combination of processes and interventions. The 2011/2012 quality assurance regime was designed to include the following: • Evaluation and benchmarking of existing qualifications and curricula (Intended curriculum) and issuing authentic certificates; development of new qualifications and curricula • Ensuring through external moderation processes and benchmarking that assessments at exit points are of an acceptable standard and that the examinations are conducted in a credible manner through verifying the national and provincial monitoring systems (Examined curriculum) • Ensuring that standardisation processes are reliable, consistent and that standardization decisions are upheld • Accrediting private institutions (schools, FET colleges and Adult Centres), and private assessment bodies to offer / assess the qualifications it certifies (Enacted curriculum) • Quality Assurance Regime 2011/2012

12. The role of QCC is to ensure and enhance the status and quality of the qualifications Umalusi certifies. Quality assuring the qualifications and their related curricula is QCC’s contribution to the overall quality of the certificate which Umalusi issues. This function also oversees the issuing and verification of certificates. (Qualifications: SC; NSC; N3; NCV 2,3,4; GETC: adults) • Qualifications, Curriculum & Certification Unit (QCC)

13. Qualifications, Curriculum & Certification

14. Qualifications, Curriculum & Certification

15. This function entails establishing, maintaining and improving standards and quality in assessment at exit points in General and Further Education and Training. In order to fulfil this function, Umalusi uses five key processes: • external moderation of question papers; • verification of monitoring the conduct of examinations; • external moderation of marking; • external moderation of continuous assessment; and • standardisation of assessment results. (Qualifications: SC; NSC; N3; NCV 2,3,4; GETC: adults) • Quality Assurance of Assessment Unit (QAA)

16. Quality Assurance of Assessment

17. Quality Assurance of Assessments

18. Quality Assurance of Assessments

19. The evaluation and accreditation function is responsible for accrediting private institutions through quality assurance of their provision for the qualifications Umalusi certifies. The unit evaluates, • The capacity of education and training providers to implement registered qualifications and approved curriculum they seek accreditation for; and • The quality of the enacted curriculum in providers i.e. teaching and learning at the required standard • The capacity of assessment bodies to conduct practical, internal, and external assessment of learner achievement, leading to the issuing of registered qualifications by Umalusi as well as the standards of assessment products and processes • Evaluation and Accreditation Unit (E&A)

20. Accreditation of Private Providers

21. Accreditation of Private Providers

22. Evaluation and Accreditation of Assessment Bodies

23. The mandate of the SIR unit is to conduct research as identified by the needs of the organisation and report on the key indicators of quality and standards in general and further education and training; to establish and maintain databases; to lead statistical research and analysis; and to inform and provide statistical support for the work in other units. The SIR Unit also plays a role in organizational and professional development at Umalusi. • Statistical Information and Research Unit • (SIR)

24. Statistical Information and Research

25. Management Support Structures (MSS) Management Support Structures ensures that: • Strategic plans are in place and that the organisation carries out its remit • Corporate Governance • Advocacy of Umalusi’s work • Stakeholders relationships

26. Management Support Structures

27. Information Technology Systems

28. Finance, HRD & Admin Support

29. Financial Performance 2011/12

30. Financial Position 2011/12

31. UMALUSI 3 YEAR FORECAST

32. Total Income 2000/1 ( actual) to 2015/16 ( budget)

33. Umalusi is working hard to ameliorate relations with the other QC’s through collaboration • Promulgation of the GENFET Sub-framework of Qualifications in order for Umalusi to take its “new” work forward • Current Issues and the Way Forward

34. Umalusi wishes to thank Ms HH Malgas, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, and the Members for their support • Conclusion