President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the NQF Amendment Act 12 of 2019 into law on 13 August and it was published for general information on 19 August. It will come into effect when it is promulgated in the Government Gazette.
According to Joe Samuels, the CEO of the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), which oversees the development and implementation of the NQF, the amendments were made to strengthen the NQF Act 2008 in terms of misrepresented and fraudulent qualifications. It also provides SAQA with the legal right to verify qualifications and part qualifications (an assessed unit of learning that is registered as part of a qualification).
“The NQF Amendment Act tightens the legal requirements and strengthens the hands of NQF bodies to inspire confidence in the education and training system,” said Samuels.
He explained that skills development providers now need to be registered by the Department of Higher Education and Training, which was not the case in the 2008 Act.
“The Amendment Act also brings with it some new and revised definitions to address the gaps and penalties for qualification fraud and education institutions and skills development providers that are not registered and accredited. The qualifications offered by these institutions and providers must be registered on the NQF.
“Ultimately, the amendments aim to protect the integrity of the South African education and training system and to address some of the challenges in our education system,” said Samuels.
Amending the Act
This story is from the October 2019 edition of Public Sector Manager.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 2019 edition of Public Sector Manager.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Lefentse Phokwane Reaching New Heights At SAA
Growing up on the streets of Vosloorus in Ekurhuleni, Lefentse Phokwane aspired to become a chemical engineer, but ended up studying for a Diploma in Non-Destructive Testing Inspection at the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) instead.
Looking To The Skies For Solutions
A young South African is exploring the secrets of the universe and believes studying the cosmos can teach us many things that we can apply in improving our daily lives.
From Flight Attendant To CEO
Zuks Ramasia is the perfect example of what people can achieve when they believe in themselves and pursue their ambitions.
Qualification Frauds Could Find Themselves Behind Bars
Lying about your qualifications could now lead to jail time, according to the new National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Amendment Act which aims to prevent the misrepresentation of qualifications and fraud.
City Shelter Assist Displaced Foreign Nationals
Displaced foreign nationals are being accommodated at the DH Williams Community Hall in Gauteng.
Women Must Take Their Rightful Place In Society
This Women’s Month, South Africa has much to be proud of.
G20 Summit Tackles Key Issues
The recent G20 Summit allowed for critical engagement on efforts to address major global economic challenges
Stand Up For
women’s rights in South Africa
Mpumalanga – A Rising Sun Guided By A Visionary Woman
For many South Africans, the province of Mpumalanga (which translates to “place of the rising sun”) flies under the radar.
Giving Women, Youth And People With Disabilities Their Dignity
The Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Maite NkoanaMashabane, wants the advancement of women to continue to be a priority in government’s service delivery programmes.