National Qualifications Framework Act, 2008 (Act No. 67 of 2008)NoticesPolicy and Criteria for Credit Accumulation and Transfer (As amended, 2022)10. Principles Governing the Implementation of the Policy for Credit Accumulation and Transfer |
| 10.1 | Mutual trust: In the case of a qualification on the sub-framework, the recognition of credits offered by another system is dependent on the development of a relationship of mutual respect and trust, based on the nature and extent of the quality assurance regimes. |
| 10.2 | Research-based: For the purpose of CAT in the GFETQSF, the relationship between qualifications in the GFETQSF context and qualifications in other NQF sub-framework contexts is determined by research that establishes the degree of overlap or equivalence between related curricula in the respective qualifications that would allow for recognition of learning and/or credit transfer. |
| 10.3 | Specificity: The recognition of credits for the purpose of transfer from one qualification to another is determined by the nature of the qualifications, the relationship between them, the nature, complexity, and extent of the curricula associated with the subjects for which exemption and/or inclusion is required, and the nature of the assessment used. |
| 10.4 | Explicitness: Umalusi will publish regulations that govern credit transfer. |
| 10.5 | Bilaterality: Ideally, the recognition of some portion of the qualifications involved (generally subjects) should be bilateral, but there may be conditions in which the recognition occurs in one direction only. Such decisions are best made by an analysis of the portions to be transferred. |
| 10.6 | Transparency: Rules, regulations, and any register of precedents that informs, influences, or governs decisions taken in respect to CAT must be: |
| (a) | valid, fair, reliable and transparent; and |
| (b) | publicly available and made known to learners prior to enrolment. |
| 10.7 | Articulation by design: Possibilities for articulation pathways, including within and between NQF sub-frameworks, and between NQF sub-frameworks and the world of work, must be included in the design and purposes of new qualifications and part-qualifications. |
| 10.8 | Access to CAT: To recognise and transfer credit, the recognition of credit in a CAT process may only be considered for credits previously awarded towards a qualification or part-qualification registered on the NQF and offered by a recognised provider in South Africa. |
| 10.9 | Appeals regarding CAT decisions: A recognised provider may appeal CAT decisions when credits linked to their NQF-registered qualifications/part-qualifications are not recognised by the providers to which learners seek to transfer. |
| 10.10 | Supplementarity: Where the CAT comparison process finds overlaps of less than 80% between the content and outcomes for which credits have been awarded and the modules/subjects for which CAT is sought, the relevant recognised provider: |
| (a) | may choose not to recognise any accumulated credit and must provide advice and guidance on other learning pathway possibilities for the candidate; or |
| (b) | may conduct an RPL process to assess the informal and non-formal knowledge and skills of the applicant that may address the gap and award credits in terms of the RPL policy and rules; or |
| (c) | may require the learner to complete supplementary assessment before credits are recognised in terms of certification policy and regulations. |
| 10.11 | Parity of esteem is an entrenched principle: Parity of esteem among institutions requires the ability and commitment to communicate diplomatically, offering constructive suggestions, avoiding the dictating of terms, and providing justification where articulation cannot happen. |