National Qualifications Framework Act, 2008 (Act No. 67 of 2008)

1)The SAQA must, in order to advance the objectives of the NQF—

a)

i)perform its functions subject to this Act; and

ii)oversee the implementation of the NQF and ensure the achievement of its objectives;

b)advise the Minister on NQF matters in terms of this Act;

c)comply with policy determined by the Minister in terms of section 8(2)(b);

d)consider the Minister’s guidelines contemplated in section 8(2)(c);

e)oversee the implementation of the NQF in accordance with an implementation framework prepared by the SAQA after consultation with the QCs;

f)

i)develop a system of collaboration to guide the mutual relations of the SAQA and the QCs, after consultation with the QCs and taking into account the objects of the SAQA contemplated in section 11 and the regulations contemplated in section 33; and

ii)resolve disputes regarding the QCs;

g)with respect to levels—

i)develop the content of level descriptors for each level of the NQF and reach agreement on the content with the QCs;

ii)publish the agreed level descriptors in the Gazette; and

iii)ensure that they remain current and appropriate;

h)with respect to qualifications—

i)develop and implement policy and criteria, after consultation with the QCs, for the development, registration and publication of qualifications and part-qualifications, which must include the following requirements:

aa)The relevant sub-framework must be identified on any document relating to the registration and publication of a qualification or part-qualification; and

ab)each sub-framework must have a distinct nomenclature for its qualification types which is appropriate to the relevant sub-framework and consistent with international practice;

ii)register a qualification or part-qualification recommended by a QC if it meets the relevant criteria;

iii)develop policy and criteria, after consultation with the QCs, for assessment, recognition of prior learning and credit accumulation and transfer;

i)with respect to professional bodies—

i)develop and implement policy and criteria for recognising a professional body and registering a professional designation for the purposes of this Act, after consultation with statutory and nonstatutory bodies of expert practitioners in occupational fields and with the QCs; and

ii)recognise a professional body and register its professional designation if the criteria contemplated in subparagraph (i) have been met;

j)with respect to international relations—

i)collaborate with its international counterparts on all matters of mutual interest concerning qualifications frameworks; and

ii)inform the QCs and other interested parties about international practice in the development and management of qualifications frameworks;

k)with respect to research—

i)conduct or commission investigations on issues of importance to the development and implementation of the NQF, including periodic studies of the impact of the NQF on South African education, training and employment; and

ii)publish the findings of the investigations referred to in subparagraph (i);

l)with respect to records of education and training, maintain a national learners’ records database comprising registers of national qualifications, part-qualifications, learner achievements, recognised professional bodies, professional designations and associated information;

m)with respect to foreign qualifications, provide an evaluation and advisory service consistent with this Act; and

n)with respect to other matters—

i)inform the public about the NQF;

ii)perform any other function required by this Act; and

iii)perform any function consistent with this Act that the Minister may determine.

2)The SAQA must submit, on or before 30 June in each year, to the Minister an annual report which includes the financial statements and audit reports.