DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE
AND TECHNOLOGY
BRIEFING TO THE
SELECT COMMITTEE ON
EDUCATION AND RECREATION
10 JUNE 2003
NATURAL SCIENTIFIC PROFESSIONS BILL,
2002
OBJECTS OF THE NATURAL
SCIENTIFIC PROFESSIONS BILL,
2002
Establishment of the SA Council for
Natural Scientific Professions for the
Registration of Professional, Candidate
and Certificated Natural Scientists
OBJECTS OF THE NATURAL
SCIENTIFIC BILL 2002
• Necessary to review the Natural Scientific
Professions Act assented to in 1993 due to certain
limitations
• Stipulations regarding appointment procedures of
Council members in the present Act are made more
transparent and flexible
• Developments in the tertiary education system after
1993, for example the establishment of SAQA, are
now reflected in the description of the Council’s
functions
• Certain stipulations, needed to ensure more efficient
management, are added
FUNCTIONS
• Education and training in the natural
sciences.
• Establish mechanisms for registered persons
to gain recognition of their qualifications and
professional status in other countries.
• Recognise any examination or withdraw the
recognition thereof.
FUNCTIONS
• Enter into an agreement with any person, within
or outside the republic, with regard to the
recognition of any examination or qualification
for the purposes of the Act.
• Give advice or render assistance to any
educational institution, voluntary associations or
examining body with regard to educational
facilities for, and the training and education of,
registered persons and prospective registered
persons.
• Conduct any examination for the purposes of
section 20.
FUNDING
• Receives funds largely through registration
and annual subscription fees of members.
• Remuneration of council members,
committee members and officials.
• Fund for the purpose of education and training
• The Minister may with the concurrence of the
Minister of Finance and on request of the
council advance or grant to the council,
money appropriated by Parliament.
CATEGORIES OF REGISTRATION
• Three categories of registration viz;
professional natural scientist, candidate
natural scientist and certificated natural
scientist.
• Decide on any application for registration as
well as the period of validity of registration and
fees.
• Decide on register, keep a register of
registered persons, update this register,
amend the register, decide on the form of
certificates, maintain issuing of certificates.
FIELDS OF PRACTICE
Agricultural Science
Animal Science
Biological Science
Botanical Science
Chemical Science
Earth Science
Ecological Science
Environmental Science
Food Science
Forensic Science
Forestry Science
Geographical Science
Geological Science
Hydrological Science
Industrial Science
Marine Science
Materials Science
Mathematical Science
Mathematics Education Science
Metallurgical Science
Microbiological Science
Natural Science Education
Science
Physical Science
Radiation Science
Water Care Science
Zoological Science
REGISTRATION
• Only a registered person may practice in a
consulting capacity.
• Must be done in a prescribed manner and
accompanied by a registration fee determined
by the council.
• Persons may be registered in the 3 categories
as mentioned.
• Applicant is informed in writing if registration is
refused.
CANCELLATION OF
REGISTRATION
• May take place if the person has been
erroneously registered, or registered on
information proved to be false.
• Fails to pay prescribed fees.
• Registration in another category.
• Written request.
• Investigations into alleged improper conduct-no
cancellation.
• Liable for fee for the period registered.
RECOGNITION OF VOLUNTARY
ASSOCIATIONS
• Submit the framework for the requirements for
recognition of a voluntary association to the
DG for approval.
• As soon as the framework is approved, the
council must determine the requirements with
which a voluntary association must comply for
recognition by the council.
RECOGNITION OF VOLUNTARY
ASSOCIATIONS
• Associations that comply with the requirements
will be granted a certificate of recognition-valid
for 5 years but may on application be renewed
for further periods of 5 years.
• Consult with voluntary associations regarding
the identification of the type of natural scientific
work which may be performed by registered
persons (submitted to DG for consideration)
GOVERNANCE ISSUES
Council
• The council will consist of no fewer than 20 but not
more than 30 members appointed by the Minister.
• Not fewer than 12 and not more than 18 must be
professional or certificated natural scientists.
• No fewer than 4 and not more than 6 must be in
the service of the state.
• No fewer than 4 and not more than 6 must be
members of the public.
• Term of office of Council is 4 years.
• A Council member may not serve for more than 2
consecutive terms of office.
GOVERNANCE ISSUES
Administrative powers
• The council may subject to the approval of the
Minister and the Minister of Finance determine the
allowances payable from the funds of the council to
its members and to members of any other committee
of the council.
• Arrange for the payment of pension and other
benefits to any official of the council.
Funds of the council and keeping and auditing of accounts
• Comply with the Public Finance Management Act.
GOVERNANCE ISSUES
Reports
• The council must within 6 months of the close of
the financial year provide the Minister with a
report regarding its activities during that financial
year (open to inspection).
• Provide the department with any information
regarding a registered person.
Committees
• The council may establish any committee to
assist it in the performance of its function, appoint
members, determine the chairperson.
CONSULTATIONS
• Other departments, institutions and bodies have been
consulted
Grassland Society of Southern Africa
Liaison Committee of Scientific Societies Concerned with
Agriculture
South African Society of Crop Production
South African Chemical Institute
South African Society for Enology and Viticulture
South African Institute of Physics
South African Institute of Forestry
South African Society for Animal Production
South African Association of Botanists
South African Society for Animal Science
South African Mathematical Society
South African Institute of Computer Scientists
CONSULTATIONS
South African Instuitute of Ecologists
South African Statistical Association
Southern African Society for Aquatic Scientists
Southern African Weed Science Society
Southern African Society for Horticultural Sciences
Joint Council of Scientific Societies
Joint Council of Earth Sciences
Operations Research Society of South Africa
Zoological Society of Southern Africa
All national departments