Understanding the Transition from 8-Level to 10-Level NQF: Implications for Higher Education Qualifications in South Africa

The South African National Qualifications Framework (NQF) changed from an eight-level to a ten-level NQF post-2009. The change in the NQF established three Quality Councils (QCs), that must develop, in consultation with SAQA, policies for the development, registration and publication of quality-assured qualifications. Each QC developed its own Sub-Framework policy, thereby indicating the qualification types with the required credits at each level of the NQF. The Council on Higher Education (CHE) developed the Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework (HEQSF) policy that was approved by the then Minister of Higher Education and Training in 2013. This change in the higher education landscape raised several questions and concerns about the level, status, and application of qualifications registered on the eight-level (pre2009) NQF. The NLRD enhances the integrity of South African qualifications by mitigating risks associated with fraudulent credentials, inconsistencies in record-keeping, and discrepancies in qualification equivalency. This session will explore how the Verification Service functions within the NQF framework aims to detect and deter misrepresented/fraudulent qualifications. It investigates the mechanisms employed and analyses the impact of such functions on reducing fraudulent credentials and promoting trust in national and foreign qualifications. The discussion will explore the transition from the eight-level to the ten-level NQF, examine the changes this brought on, and the challenges encountered by the stakeholders (which includes, but is not limited to the learners and professional bodies) involved. In addition, we address common questions and discuss the way forward. A case study around the South African pre-2009/historical teaching qualifications will be explored.

(NOTE: The first 30 minutes of this session is for audience introductions.)