The

South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)

is a statutory

[2]

body, regulated in terms of the National Qualifications Framework Act No 67 of 2008. It is made up
of 29 members appointed by the Minister of Education in consultation with the Minister of Labour.
SAQA is mandated by legislation to oversee the development and implementation of the National
Qualifications Framework (NQF).[3]

The NQF is a framework

i.e. it sets the boundaries, principle and guidelines,

which provide a vision, a philosophical base and an organisational structure, for the construction of a
qualifications system. Detailed development and implementation is carried out within these
boundaries. All education and training in South Africa fits within this framework.
It is national because it is a national resource, representing a national effort at integrating education
and training into unified structure of recognised qualifications. It is framework of qualifications i.e.
records of learner achievements.

The NQF is a 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 lifelong learning.

The NQF consist of 10 levels divided into three bands, namely: [4]

Levels

Designation

Grade 9

Grade 10 and National (vocational) Certificates level 2

Grade 11 and National (vocational) Certificates level 3

National Senior Certificate and National (vocational) Cert. level 4

Higher Certificates and Advanced National (vocational) Cert.

Diploma and Advanced certificates

Levels

Designation

Bachelors Degree and Advanced Diplomas

Honours, Post Grad diploma and Professional Qualifications

Masters Degrees

Doctoral

10

Degrees

Understanding SAQA and the NQF

The South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) oversees the development and implementation of South
Africas National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

The National Qualifications Framework (NQF) is a framework on which standards and qualifications - agreed to
by education and training stakeholders across the country - are registered.
Not sure what NQF level you have? Check out our full Qualifications Guide.
It was established through the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) Act, 1995, which provided for the
development and implementation of a National Qualifications Framework'. The SAQA Act was replaced by the
National Qualifications Framework Act in 2008.
The objectives of the NQF have been designed to contribute to the personal development of learners as well as
the social and economic development of the country at large by:

Creating an integrated national framework for learning achievements;

Facilitating access to, and mobility and progression within education, training and career paths;
Enhancing the quality of education and training;
Accelerating the redress of past unfair discrimination in education, training and employment
opportunities.

Why do we need the NQF?

To succeed or even survive in a globally competitive world, a country must ensure that it has a national education
and training system that provides quality learning; is responsive to the ever-changing influences of the external
environment; and promotes the development of a nation that is committed to life-long learning.
The NQF is a 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.
All education and training in South Africa fits within the principles, guidelines and boundaries set by the National
Qualifications Framework, which has been designed to encourage the registration of learner skills and
knowledge.

What are NQF levels?

In 2008 the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Act No 67 replaced the South African Qualifications
Authority Act No 58 of 1995. The NQF Act brought changes in the education and training sector. The NQF is now
made up of 10 levels divided into three bands: General Education and Training (GET); Further Education and
Training (FET) and Higher Education and Training (HET).
These levels are in place to award registered learners with accreditation based on their skills and knowledge.
Each level has a level descriptor and shows learner achievement. It is important to understand the NQF levels
especially when developing a CV or applying for further study.
Useful terms:

Accreditation: The certification, usually for a particular period of time, of a person, a body or an

institution as having the capacity to fulfil a particular function within the quality assurance system set up by
SAQA
Assessor: A person who is registered by the relevant ETQA body to measure the achievement of

specified National Qualifications Framework standards or qualifications.

National Learners' Records Database (NLRD): An electronic information system that assists SAQA to

manage the National Qualifications Framework.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): Recognition of Prior Learning is a process whereby peoples

prior learning can be formally recognised in terms of registered qualifications and unit standards, regardless of
where and how the learning was attained. RPL acknowledges that people never stop learning, whether it takes
place formally at an educational institution, or whether it happens informally.
Standards Generating Body (SGB): A body registered in terms of the SAQA Act, responsible for
establishing education and training standards or qualifications, and to which specific functions relating to the
establishment of national standards and qualifications have been assigned.

Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA): A body responsible for the organisation of
education and training programmes within a specific sector.

http://www.careerplanet.co.za/saqa-and-the-nqf
.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_African_Qualifications_Authority