FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION 932
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 21/08/09
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 10-2009)
Mrs C Dudley (ACDP) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:
1. What was the urgency that resulted in a last minute change of design
to the 2008 National Senior Certificate delaying its distribution to
August;
2. whether she has been informed of the difficulties experienced by
learners as a result of the delay; if not, what is the position in
this regard; if so,
3. whether she will take any steps in this regard; if not, why not; if
so, what steps? NW1090E
REPLY:
1. The National Senior Certificate is being issued for the first time
this year, following the first National Senior Certificate
examinations in 2008. As a new qualification, this Certificate needed
to be designed afresh, so there are noâlast minute changes of
designâas indicate in the question.
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It may be recalled that the old Senior Certificates did not carry the
Coat of Arms, and only reflected the Umalusi logo. This is
inappropriate for a government issued, national certificate, and
created problems for students who took the certificate oversea, only
to be asked whether the certificate had any official status. It was
therefore agreed that the new National Senior Certificate should
indicate it is a properly endorsed and official certificate of the
government of South Africa, by carrying the Coat of Arms of Republic.
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The initial draft version of the new Certificate developed by Umalusi
showed the Coat of Arms in the one Corner of the page- in clear
contravention of the guidelines pertaining to the use of national
symbols. The Department, working with Umalusi, therefore agreed on a
new design which would place the Coat of Arms at the centre, in
accordance with protocol. Umalusi would remain as the issuer of the
Certificate, duly signed by the Chief Executive Officer Dr. Rakometsi.
The acquisition of the high quality paper required has followed the
approval of this design , and the new Certificates are being issued at
present.
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While the delay may be regrettable, I believe it would have been even
more problematic to have issued this first cohort of Senior
Certificate recipients with an inferior product. The new design is one
that any matriculant would be proud to display, with international and
national currency.
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2. I am not aware of any difficulties being encountered in this regard,
since all students have a full âStatement of Resultsâ, which is all
that most employers and higher education institutions require. If any
student is experiencing genuine difficulties they are welcome to
contact the Department of Education, but none have been raised with us
to date.
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Compiler:
Ext:
ACTING DIRECTOR -GENERAL
DATE:
QUESTION 932 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED
MS MA MOTSHEKGA, MP
MINISTER OF BASIC EDUCATIO N
DATE: