Part of Umalusi’s mandate as the Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training is to accredit private education institutions offering qualifications registered on the General and Further Education and Training Qualifications Sub-framework, which constitutes levels 1 - 4 of the National Qualifications Framework.
In order to fulfil its mandate, Umalusi has organised a series of award ceremonies across the country to award accreditation certificates to deserving private institutions in recognition of their compliance to Umalusi’s rigid accreditation standards. Umalusi Council took a decision to put the issuing of certificates to accredited institutions on hold following the review of the Policy and Criteria for the Quality Assurance, Accreditation and Monitoring of Independent Schools and Private Assessment Bodies, which was published in Government Gazette No. 40337 and later circulated for public comment by the Minister of Basic Education on the 7th of October 2016.
Umalusi issued a letter to all accredited institutions on 14 December 2016 clarifying the likely impact of the review on the wording used on the certificates, which would necessitate the retraction of any certificates already issued. The preparations for issuing accreditation certificates began immediately after the promulgation of the abovementioned policy and regulations by the Minister of Basic Education in Government Gazette No. 41206 of 27 October 2017.
Consequently, the wording of the newly awarded certificates has been changed in line with the policy, specifically that accreditation for independent schools has been changed from 7 years accreditation to “accreditation” as contemplated in both the policy and regulations. The implication is that independent schools will no longer have to reapply for accreditation every 7 years. However, they will be subject to regular monitoring by Umalusi to ensure they maintain the required standards. The period of accreditation for private Further Education and Training Colleges and private Adult Education Centres remains as 7 years.
All the private education institutions that received their accreditation certificates are now among a cohort of fully accredited private education institutions in South Africa.
So far 365 independent schools, 41 private Further Education and Training colleges and 18 private Adult Education and Training centres have been awarded their accreditation certificates at award ceremonies organised in Durban, Pretoria and Cape Town. After receiving their new certificates, accredited private education institutions can proudly display their certificates as proof of their compliance with the quality standards set by Umalusi.
The CEO of Umalusi, Dr Mafu Rakometsi, made the following comment to deserving institutions; “the recipients of accreditation certificates will become a beacon of hope to all the institutions in South Africa that aspire to be among the best in the country. They have literally set the bar very high for other institutions and Umalusi is pleased to use their names as a reference point for educational good practice.”
Enquiries:
Lucky Ditaunyane
Tel: 012 349 1510 x 208
Cell: 083 227 6074
