Question no: 932
Mrs C Dudley (ACDP) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:
1. What was the urgency that resulted in a last minute change of design to the 2008 national senior certificate delaying its distribution to August?
2. Whether she has been informed of the difficulties experienced by learners as a result of the delay; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so,
3. Whether she will take any steps in this regard; if not, why not; if so, what steps?
Reply:
1. The national senior certificate is being issued for the first time this year, following the first national senior certificate examinations in 2008. As a new qualification, this certificate needed to be designed afresh, so there are no “last minute changes of design” as indicate in the question.
It may be recalled that the old Senior Certificates did not carry the Coat of Arms and only reflected the Umalusi logo. This is inappropriate for a government issued, national certificate and created problems for students who took the certificate overseas, only to be asked whether the certificate had any official status. It was therefore agreed that the new national senior certificate should indicate it is a properly endorsed and official certificate of the government of South Africa, by carrying the Coat of Arms of republic.
The initial draft version of the new Certificate developed by Umalusi showed the Coat of Arms in the one corner of the page in clear contravention of the guidelines pertaining to the use of national symbols. The department, working with Umalusi, therefore agreed on a new design which would place the Coat of Arms at the centre, in accordance with protocol. Umalusi would remain as the issuer of the certificate, duly signed by the Chief Executive Officer Dr Rakometsi. The acquisition of the high quality paper required has followed the approval of this design and the new certificates are being issued at present.
While the delay may be regrettable, I believe it would have been even more problematic to have issued this first cohort of senior certificate recipients with an inferior product. The new design is one that any matriculants would be proud to display, with international and national currency.
2. I am not aware of any difficulties being encountered in this regard, since all students have a full statement of results, which is all that most employers and higher education institutions require. If any student is experiencing genuine difficulties they are welcome to contact the Department of Education, but none have been raised with us to date.
Issued by: Department of Basic Education
21 August 2009
