The National Senior Certificate Colleges to be phased out from January 2021
In line with Section 27(k) of the National Qualifications Framework Act, Act No 67 of 2008, Umalusi Council hereby notifies the public of its decision to phase out the National Senior Certificate (NSC) (Colleges) (Nated Report 191, Part 1) as from 1 January 2021.
The NSC (Colleges) has to this point remained an option at TVET colleges for candidates who, having passed the National Certificate N3: Engineering, were entitled to receive the qualification on condition that they had offered and passed the two N3 Business Languages offered at the colleges.
However, an analysis conducted by Umalusi Council in 2016 indicated that very few candidates elect to be certified for the qualification and that the NSC (Colleges) qualification does not articulate meaningfully with other qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework. Given the importance attached to the need for articulation within the National Qualifications Framework environment, and given the need for qualifications to offer meaningful second chances for students, Umalusi Council has determined that the NSC (Colleges) in its current format no longer serves a meaningful function in the education and training system.
With the repeal of the Policy for the NSC (Colleges) Programmes (Nated Report 191), the certification of the National Technical Certificate N3 subjects in combination with Senior Certificate subjects for the issuing of a Senior Certificate, awarded in terms of ‘A resumé of instructional programmes in schools, Report 550 (2005/09),’ will also cease.
The last date of examinations for students requiring the two N3 Business Languages to qualify for the NSC (Colleges) and for the National Technical Certificate N3 subjects to qualify for the Senior Certificate will be November 2020. No further registration will be allowed from 1 January 2021.
The CEO of Umalusi, Dr Mafu Rakometsi, stated that “the given timeframe until November 2020 will allow sufficient time for all those in the system to complete their outstanding subjects, with added provision made to repeat any of the failed subjects. This will ensure that all students have been afforded a fair and sufficient opportunity to acquire the qualification before it is completely phased out.”
Enquiries:
Lucky Ditaunyane
Cell: 083 227 6074
Tel: 012 349 1510 x 208
E-mail: Lucky.Ditaunyane@umalusi.org.za
Anti-Fraud Hotline: 17737
