NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WROTTEN REPLY
QUESTION 2027
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 16/10/09
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 26-2009)Â
Mr A P van der Westhuizen (DA) to ask the Minister of Higher Education and
Training:
(1) Until when will the current syllabi for N4 to N6 courses be offered by
the Further
Education and Training colleges;
(2) Whether any changes are being planned for the various courses of the
National
Certificates on National Qualifications Framework levels 2 to 4; if not,
why not; if
so, what changes;
(3) Whether there are any plans to terminate the offering of any of the
abovementioned
courses in the future; if not, why not; if so, (a) what plans and (b) what
alternative
courses will replace the existing courses?
NW2679E
REPLY:
1) The gazette issued on 12 December 2008 indicates that the N4 â N6
programmes will phase out over a three year period, starting in
January 2010. After consultation with stakeholders, I will gazette
permission for colleges to offer N1 â N6 courses in 2010 where there
is industrial support and funding.
2) The recent location of FET Colleges within the Higher and Training
mandate will allow for the National Certificate (Vocational)
qualification to be affirmed as one of the post-school vocational
qualification. However, any changes at this stage would be premature
since the qualification was offered for the first time only in 2009 at
level 4 and will be reviewed as it proceeds.
3) As indicated earlier, the N4-6 programmes will be phased out. The
extension, should it be published will allow colleges and higher
education institutions to establish formal partnerships so that colleges
can become sites of delivery for selected higher education programmes.
The higher education institution will be the certifying institution and
the HEQC the quality assurer, as required by the Higher Education
Qualifications Framework (HEQF).
a) no
b) n/a
Compiler: A Singh
Ext. 5791
DIRECTOR-GENERAL:Â HET
STATUS: APPROVED
DATE:Â
QUESTION 2027 APPROVED / NOT APPROVED / AMENDED
DR BE NZIMANDE, MP
MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION & TRAINING
STATUS: APPROVED
DATE: