Recognition of Prior Learning
presentation to the Higher Education and
Training Portfolio Committee
Joe Samuels
SAQA
24 August 2016
Contents
Background
1
Lessons learned
2
3
Policy priorities
4
Achievements
5
Way forward
Contents
Background
1
Lessons learned
2
3
Policy priorities
4
Achievements
5
Way forward
SAQA’s legal RPL mandate
13(h)(iii) develop policy and criteria, after
consultation with the QCs, for assessment,
recognition of prior learning and credit
accumulation and transfer;
• ..\Desktop\VIDEO RPL\Joe Sam - Saqa RPL.mov
RPL implementation
overview
Overview of SAQA’s RPL activities
SAQA
Research
Partnership
with UWC
Existing
SAQA RPL
Policy (2002,
2003)
Strategic RPL
projects
New Revised
RPL Policy
Ministerial RPL
Task Team
RPL Policy on
Funding and
Coordination
(DHET)
NQF Advisory
Services
SAQA
website,
NQF
website,
RPL portal
Contents
Background
1
Lessons learned
2
3
Policy priorities
4
Achievements
5
Way forward
Drivers
System
Resourcing
Effective
delivery
Quality
Assurance
Contents
Background
1
Lessons learned
2
3
Policy priorities
4
Achievements
5
Way forward
Policy implementation priorities
Effective
delivery
Resourcing
Quality
assurance
National
Coordination
Contents
Background
1
Lessons learned
2
3
Policy priorities
4
Achievements
5
Way forward
RPL achievements under the
NQF Act
SAQA
MHET
RPL Task
Team
RPL
policy
MHET
RPL
policy
Implementation
Strategic
national
RPL
cases
HEI SETAs
RPL data
employers
100+
providers
RPL
networks
Cohesion and Overarching Policies
Professional
bodies and
professional
designations
Qualifications
and partqualifications
Level
Descriptors
RPL
CAT
System of
collaboration
Assessment
NQF
Implementation
Assessment
Framework
28 696
qualifications
achieved
through RPL
1. Manufacturing, Engineering
& Technology 36%
2. Business, Commerce and
Management studies (20%)
3. Physical planning and
construction (17%)
National RPL strategy
Implementation
Coordinating
Mechanism
Roles: DHET, SAQA,
QCs, Providers, PBs
Funding
Implementation
• 1996-2010: Islands
• 2011-2014: National cases
• 2015 onwards:
SAQA: coordination, data, directing
individuals/ organisations, requirements
of Quality Councils
Quality Councils: RPL policies,
implementation plans, implementation,
reporting
Co-ordinating mechanism
Legal
• Subject to NQF Act; Key in WP PSET
Recog
• RPL2011, 2014, SAQA RPL Policy, Working
Doc, MHET RPL TT, RPL cases
Purpose
• Enabling policy environment, funding,
coordination
Scope
Phases
• DHET, SAQA, QCs, Govt Depts, Industry, PBs,
all providers, those seeking access
• Phase 1 (set-up) +
• Phase 2 (evaluation, legislation)
Responsibilities of DHET
1.
2.
3.
4.
Legislative
Coordinating Mechanism (Phase 1)
Funding Mechanism
Collaborate, Cooperate, Communicate,
Consider, (CCCC) - with SAQA, QCs
5. Monitor
Responsibilities of
co-ordinating mechanism
1. Manage funds + information
2. Professionalisation
3. Research
4. Support + advice
5. Policy development, advocacy, communication
6. Collaboration with CDS
7. Referral of learners
8. Monitoring, evaluation, reporting
Responsibilities of SAQA
1. Align SAQA RPL policy
2. Leadership to QCs for implementation
3. Advise + support Coordinating Mechanism
4. Conduct sector-wide feasibility study: QA of RPL
5. RPL data uploads into NLRD
6. Ensure QC certification policy dev + imp
(achievements via RPL never shown publicly)
Responsibilities of QCs
1. QC Sub-Framework RPL policy
2. Ensure provider implementation,
support
3. Certify L
4. Advocate RPL
5. Quarterly Reports to SAQA
Responsibilities of providers
1. Institutional RPL policy
2. Institutional RPL Forum
3. Institutional RPL implementation
4. RPL reporting
5. Collaboration (Coordinating
Mechanism, SAQA, QCs)
Funding
FUNDING
No new contributions from fiscus
(optimal use of existing funds)
Primary source = STATE FUNDS
(Additional funds will be sought)
Funding differentiated
(1) Coordinating Mechanism (2) RPL implementation
Funds: developed and published annually (DHET)
Contents
Background
1
Lessons learned
2
3
Policy priorities
4
Achievements
5
Way forward
Priorities for the way
forward
1. SAQA’s Aligned RPL Policy approved
2. RPL Success Cases published
3. QC RPL Policies/ Rollout Plans
finalised
4. QC RPL Progress Reports to SAQA
5. QC RPL data, uploads into NLRD
6. Coordinating Mechanism set up
Recognition of Prior Learning
presentation to the Higher Education and
Training Portfolio Committee
Joe Samuels
SAQA
24 August 2016