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A very good day to you gentle people,
The National Qualifications Framework is inter alia a database of the records of tertiary qualifications of all South Africans.
As such, you would expect all your qualifications to be listed. I know I did!
My qualifications that are listed include my LLB obtained in 2016(UNISA) and the fact that I successfully completed MANAGEMENT PRAC TICE IV (at the then TSA now merged with UNISA) in 2002.
This record of learning does not however include the fact that I successfully obtained a National Diploma(Business Management) from Technikon Witwatesrand in 1994!
So in 2014, way back in 2014, I wrote to NQF.
There’s some classic back and forth here!
This is what I stated:
[emoji848]
From:
Sent: Tuesday, 28 January 2014 15:57
To: verifications@saqa.co.za
Subject: RE: Request for transcript
Hi There,
In 1994 I obtained a National Diploma: Retail Business Management: Technikon Witwatersrand(TWR), why does this not reflect?
Kindly revert,
Regards,
This is what they stated
Am I reacting disproportionately? [emoji848]
I don't think so. What do you think?
Let's look at this from an objective viewpoint. You my fellow South African brother and sister obtained a qualification in the 1980's or the 1990's.
An organization comes into existence. Among other functions this organization is responsible for formulating practical learning outcomes for each qualification; they also responsible for listing all South Africans qualifications obtained by an individual on this national database.
The onus is on the university or educational institution to send an individuals qualifications to the NQF for listing.
Either the university is not doing their job of sending individuals qualifications for listing or the NQF is not listing an individuals qualifications after the portfolio has been sent by an university.
It can't be both.
This is what I gathered from what the NQF stated in their response to me.
The issuing tertiary institution must send the NQF the record for learning.
Thereafter the NQF must list the individuals name and qualification on the national database.
According to the NQF's response to me, some qualifications obtained in the 1980’s and 1990’s will not be listed as they busy playing catch up.
So I resolved to write to UJ. I done so because the NQF is informed me that even if I provide them with incontrovertible evidence that I obtained a national diploma in 1994 they will not listed it. According to them to they only list qualifications of individuals which have been sent to them directly from the university/college/educational institute.
I asked UJ to send my National Diploma portfolio from 1992 up to and including 1994 to the NQF.
I received similar rhetoric.
The bottom line is that one of my qualifications is not listed on the national data base.
Please see if yours is listed.
What's the point of having a national database of individuals qualifications if the qualification you obtained is not listed??
How many people are affected?
That would depend on how many qualifications we're issued between 1980 up to and including 1998.
The problem is best understood with an illustration:
Mr A obtained a BCOM(Wits) in 1985. In 1989 Mr A obtains a BCOM honours UCT. In 1994 Mr A obtains a master's degree in business administration from Wits. In 1998 Mr A obtains a doctorate degree from Wits. In 2004 Mr A wants to see in what format his qualifications are listed on the NQF( how the transcript looks). So he sends an email to verificatoons@saqa.co.za.
He remembers to include a certified copy of his identity document.
The NQF email him his record of learning. He is horrified to see that none of his qualifications are listed! His learning record says something to the effect of ' no qualifications recorded and no qualifications obtained!'
Can you now see the problem clearly?[emoji848]
That brings us to today. If you obtained a qualification in the 1980’s or 1990’s it is probably not listed on the National Learning database of tertiary qualifications!!!!!
Just check.
Send an email to verifications@saqa.co.za, and attach a certified copy of your identity document.
I suppose I’m acting in your best interest with this thread.
No, scrap that thought, it sounds horribly wrong!
It’s in the best interest of all South Africans that all tertiary qualifications obtained should be listed on the National Learning database of tertiary qualifications.
The benefits are twofold, the way I see it, any employer can easily verify all your qualifications, and you can obtain an official transcript with all your qualifications obtained listed.
It cannot be that after 7 years after the fact of me writing them, they still playing catch-up. It's also not acceptable if the excuse they provide is merely to make each individual that queries this just go away.
They should employ more people if needs be. They should prioritize listing all individuals qualifications from the 1980's and 1990's.
This matter in the best interests of all South Africans.
The first part of your official transcript from NQF states:
P.S I omitted my personal information
A further bone of contention
The UNISA LLB is a level 8 qualification. This NQF level supposed to be listed next to each module passed and next to the NQF code for the LLB. The Transcript I received indicated that I did indeed obtain a LLB, that it was completed and lists all the 40 modules passed. The Colum for NQF level is blank!
Legislative background
Section 5(1)(a) of the National Qualifications Framework envisages one body that will contain all the qualifications obtained by an individual.[1]
This objective is juxtaposed with access to tertiary institutions; improving the quality of tertiary education by having measurable learning outcomes and to redress past unfairness in tertiary education.
These objectives may, additionally, be nuanced by means of, for instance, section 5(2) and section 5(3)(a), (b) and (c).
Multiple choice test
Choose the correct answer
The National Qualifications Framework does not list all South Africans hard earned qualification; and does not state the NQF level of 8 next for the UNISA LLB because:
You decide
[1] Section 5(1)(a) of the National Qualifications Act 67 of 2008(as amended).
[2] Section 5 and 6 of the National Qualifications Act 67 of 2008(as amended).
The National Qualifications Framework is inter alia a database of the records of tertiary qualifications of all South Africans.
As such, you would expect all your qualifications to be listed. I know I did!
My qualifications that are listed include my LLB obtained in 2016(UNISA) and the fact that I successfully completed MANAGEMENT PRAC TICE IV (at the then TSA now merged with UNISA) in 2002.
This record of learning does not however include the fact that I successfully obtained a National Diploma(Business Management) from Technikon Witwatesrand in 1994!
So in 2014, way back in 2014, I wrote to NQF.
There’s some classic back and forth here!
This is what I stated:
[emoji848]
From:
Sent: Tuesday, 28 January 2014 15:57
To: verifications@saqa.co.za
Subject: RE: Request for transcript
Hi There,
In 1994 I obtained a National Diploma: Retail Business Management: Technikon Witwatersrand(TWR), why does this not reflect?
Kindly revert,
Regards,
This is what they stated
From: TBaloyi@saqa.co.za [mailto:TBaloyi@saqa.co.za] On Behalf Of verifications@saqa.co.za
Sent: 28 January 2014 03:49 PM
To:
Subject: Re: Request for transcript
Dear xxxxxxx
Thank you for your enquiry.
Attached please find the statement of what was found for you on the National Learners' Records Database (NLRD).
Please note the following:
· The records for Higher Education on the NLRD go up to 2011, so if you have achieved anything further since then, these results will not yet be reflected.
· If you do not see achievements on the statement that you would have expected to find there, please do not send these to SAQA, as records of learning are not accepted from individuals.
The flow of information to the NLRD is as follows: Training providers send data on learner enrolments and achievements to their ETQAs, and in turn, the ETQAs send this data to us for loading into the NLRD.
We currently have the following on the NLRD (and we are aware that there are also some gaps, even in the years that we do have: we are busy filling these gaps):
o South African public university achievements up to 2011;
o South African technikon achievements from 1999 to 2011;
o Private higher achievements logged by some private higher institutions up to 2012;
o Achievements logged by SETAs and ETQAs (except the HPCSA) up to the present.
To verify your matric:
· If the certificate was issued in September 1992 or later, please contact Umalusi on 012 349 1510 or verification@umalusi.org.za . (Their fee varies from case to case.)
· If the certificate was issued before September 1992, it can be verified by the Department of Basic Education on 012 357 3900, or any Provincial Department of Education. (They all currently charge from R20 to R40 for this service.)
For FAIS related credits and queries, please visit the INSETA website on www.inseta.org.za. Click on “learner information” to access results.
Kind Regards
The Verifications Team
National Learners' Records Database
South African Qualifications Authority
Tel
012) 431 5010
Fax012) 431 5051
verifications@saqa.org.za
www.saqa.org.za
Sent: 28 January 2014 03:49 PM
To:
Subject: Re: Request for transcript
Dear xxxxxxx
Thank you for your enquiry.
Attached please find the statement of what was found for you on the National Learners' Records Database (NLRD).
Please note the following:
· The records for Higher Education on the NLRD go up to 2011, so if you have achieved anything further since then, these results will not yet be reflected.
· If you do not see achievements on the statement that you would have expected to find there, please do not send these to SAQA, as records of learning are not accepted from individuals.
The flow of information to the NLRD is as follows: Training providers send data on learner enrolments and achievements to their ETQAs, and in turn, the ETQAs send this data to us for loading into the NLRD.
We currently have the following on the NLRD (and we are aware that there are also some gaps, even in the years that we do have: we are busy filling these gaps):
o South African public university achievements up to 2011;
o South African technikon achievements from 1999 to 2011;
o Private higher achievements logged by some private higher institutions up to 2012;
o Achievements logged by SETAs and ETQAs (except the HPCSA) up to the present.
To verify your matric:
· If the certificate was issued in September 1992 or later, please contact Umalusi on 012 349 1510 or verification@umalusi.org.za . (Their fee varies from case to case.)
· If the certificate was issued before September 1992, it can be verified by the Department of Basic Education on 012 357 3900, or any Provincial Department of Education. (They all currently charge from R20 to R40 for this service.)
For FAIS related credits and queries, please visit the INSETA website on www.inseta.org.za. Click on “learner information” to access results.
Kind Regards
The Verifications Team
National Learners' Records Database
South African Qualifications Authority
Tel
012) 431 5010Fax
012) 431 5051verifications@saqa.org.za
www.saqa.org.za
I don't think so. What do you think?
Let's look at this from an objective viewpoint. You my fellow South African brother and sister obtained a qualification in the 1980's or the 1990's.
An organization comes into existence. Among other functions this organization is responsible for formulating practical learning outcomes for each qualification; they also responsible for listing all South Africans qualifications obtained by an individual on this national database.
The onus is on the university or educational institution to send an individuals qualifications to the NQF for listing.
Either the university is not doing their job of sending individuals qualifications for listing or the NQF is not listing an individuals qualifications after the portfolio has been sent by an university.
It can't be both.
This is what I gathered from what the NQF stated in their response to me.
The issuing tertiary institution must send the NQF the record for learning.
Thereafter the NQF must list the individuals name and qualification on the national database.
According to the NQF's response to me, some qualifications obtained in the 1980’s and 1990’s will not be listed as they busy playing catch up.
So I resolved to write to UJ. I done so because the NQF is informed me that even if I provide them with incontrovertible evidence that I obtained a national diploma in 1994 they will not listed it. According to them to they only list qualifications of individuals which have been sent to them directly from the university/college/educational institute.
I asked UJ to send my National Diploma portfolio from 1992 up to and including 1994 to the NQF.
I received similar rhetoric.
The bottom line is that one of my qualifications is not listed on the national data base.
Please see if yours is listed.
What's the point of having a national database of individuals qualifications if the qualification you obtained is not listed??
How many people are affected?
That would depend on how many qualifications we're issued between 1980 up to and including 1998.
The problem is best understood with an illustration:
Mr A obtained a BCOM(Wits) in 1985. In 1989 Mr A obtains a BCOM honours UCT. In 1994 Mr A obtains a master's degree in business administration from Wits. In 1998 Mr A obtains a doctorate degree from Wits. In 2004 Mr A wants to see in what format his qualifications are listed on the NQF( how the transcript looks). So he sends an email to verificatoons@saqa.co.za.
He remembers to include a certified copy of his identity document.
The NQF email him his record of learning. He is horrified to see that none of his qualifications are listed! His learning record says something to the effect of ' no qualifications recorded and no qualifications obtained!'
Can you now see the problem clearly?[emoji848]
That brings us to today. If you obtained a qualification in the 1980’s or 1990’s it is probably not listed on the National Learning database of tertiary qualifications!!!!!
Just check.
Send an email to verifications@saqa.co.za, and attach a certified copy of your identity document.
I suppose I’m acting in your best interest with this thread.
No, scrap that thought, it sounds horribly wrong!
It’s in the best interest of all South Africans that all tertiary qualifications obtained should be listed on the National Learning database of tertiary qualifications.
The benefits are twofold, the way I see it, any employer can easily verify all your qualifications, and you can obtain an official transcript with all your qualifications obtained listed.
It cannot be that after 7 years after the fact of me writing them, they still playing catch-up. It's also not acceptable if the excuse they provide is merely to make each individual that queries this just go away.
They should employ more people if needs be. They should prioritize listing all individuals qualifications from the 1980's and 1990's.
This matter in the best interests of all South Africans.
The first part of your official transcript from NQF states:
National Learners’ Records Database (NLRD)
This document consists of the following statement:
1. The enrolments and achievements of
NLRD Person ID
National ID
as recorded on the NLRD up to 11 June 2019
This statement displays all of the qualifications (and courses / unit standards towards these) noted on the NLRD as enrolled or achieved by xxxxxxxxxx. If other enrolments or achievements exist for this person, they are not yet known to the NLRD.
Some enrolments may appear more than once, with different Qualification IDs and sometimes slightly different titles. This is due to mergers between some institutions.
This document consists of the following statement:
1. The enrolments and achievements of
NLRD Person ID
National ID
as recorded on the NLRD up to 11 June 2019
This statement displays all of the qualifications (and courses / unit standards towards these) noted on the NLRD as enrolled or achieved by xxxxxxxxxx. If other enrolments or achievements exist for this person, they are not yet known to the NLRD.
Some enrolments may appear more than once, with different Qualification IDs and sometimes slightly different titles. This is due to mergers between some institutions.
P.S I omitted my personal information
A further bone of contention
The UNISA LLB is a level 8 qualification. This NQF level supposed to be listed next to each module passed and next to the NQF code for the LLB. The Transcript I received indicated that I did indeed obtain a LLB, that it was completed and lists all the 40 modules passed. The Colum for NQF level is blank!
Legislative background
Section 5(1)(a) of the National Qualifications Framework envisages one body that will contain all the qualifications obtained by an individual.[1]
This objective is juxtaposed with access to tertiary institutions; improving the quality of tertiary education by having measurable learning outcomes and to redress past unfairness in tertiary education.
These objectives may, additionally, be nuanced by means of, for instance, section 5(2) and section 5(3)(a), (b) and (c).
Multiple choice test
Choose the correct answer
The National Qualifications Framework does not list all South Africans hard earned qualification; and does not state the NQF level of 8 next for the UNISA LLB because:
- They are highly dedicated, diligent and committed to achieving the objective set out in section 5(1)(a) of the Act
- They broke
- They lazy
- They don’t want to hire new staff to clear the backlog of listing all South Africans qualifications on one database
- They failed, alternatively refuse, alternatively neglect to attain the objectives as set out in section 5 of the Act
- They don’t intend to clear the backlog whatsoever
- They refuse to answer lest they incriminate themselves
- They are a textbook example of attaining objectives set out in legislation.
- They have too much work and should be given a break
You decide
5. Objectives of NQF
(1) The objectives of the NQF are to-
(a) create a single integrated national framework for learning achievements;
(b) facilitate access to, and mobility and progression within, education, training and career paths;
(c) enhance the quality of education and training;
(d) accelerate the redress of past unfair discrimination in education, training and employment opportunities.
(2) The objectives of the NQF are designed to contribute to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of the nation at large.
(3) SAQA and the QCs must seek to achieve the objectives of the NQF by-
(a) developing, fostering and maintaining an integrated and transparent national framework for the recognition of learning achievements;
(b) ensuring that South African qualifications meet appropriate criteria, determined by the Minister as contemplated in section 8, and are internationally comparable; and
(c) ensuring that South African qualifications are of an acceptable quality
6. Framework levels
(1) The NQF is organised as a series of levels of learning achievement, arranged in ascending order from one to ten.
(2) Each level on the NQF is described by a statement of learning achievement known as a level descriptor.
(3) A level descriptor, referred to in subsection (2), provides a broad indication of learning achievements or outcomes that are appropriate to a qualification at that level.
(4) Level descriptors must be developed and determined, as provided for in section 13(1)(g).
(5) There is one set of level descriptors for the NQF. [2]
(1) The objectives of the NQF are to-
(a) create a single integrated national framework for learning achievements;
(b) facilitate access to, and mobility and progression within, education, training and career paths;
(c) enhance the quality of education and training;
(d) accelerate the redress of past unfair discrimination in education, training and employment opportunities.
(2) The objectives of the NQF are designed to contribute to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of the nation at large.
(3) SAQA and the QCs must seek to achieve the objectives of the NQF by-
(a) developing, fostering and maintaining an integrated and transparent national framework for the recognition of learning achievements;
(b) ensuring that South African qualifications meet appropriate criteria, determined by the Minister as contemplated in section 8, and are internationally comparable; and
(c) ensuring that South African qualifications are of an acceptable quality
6. Framework levels
(1) The NQF is organised as a series of levels of learning achievement, arranged in ascending order from one to ten.
(2) Each level on the NQF is described by a statement of learning achievement known as a level descriptor.
(3) A level descriptor, referred to in subsection (2), provides a broad indication of learning achievements or outcomes that are appropriate to a qualification at that level.
(4) Level descriptors must be developed and determined, as provided for in section 13(1)(g).
(5) There is one set of level descriptors for the NQF. [2]
[1] Section 5(1)(a) of the National Qualifications Act 67 of 2008(as amended).
[2] Section 5 and 6 of the National Qualifications Act 67 of 2008(as amended).
That's a loaded statement. We should break down why there might be reluctance to ensure we understand the actual hurdle.
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