National Qualifications Framework Act, 2008 (Act 67 of 2008)NoticesPolicy and Criteria for Recognising a Professional Body and Registering of a Professional Designation for the purposes of the National Qualifications Framework Act, Act 67 of 2008 (as amended, September 2020)Foreword |
Policy and Criteria for Recognising a Professional Body and Registering a Professional Designation for the Purposes of the National Qualifications Framework Act, Act 67 of 2008 (As amended, September 2020)
The Policy and Criteria for Recognising a Professional Body and Registering a Professional Designation for the Purposes of the National Qualifications Framework Act, Act 67 of 2008 (As amended, September 2020), referred to as the P&C for professional bodies, was developed, reviewed and amended by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) as part of its mandate to “oversee the further development and implementation of the NQF”.
Section 13(1)(i) of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Act, Act 67 of 2008, as amended, requires SAQA to:
| 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 non-statutory bodies of expert practitioners in occupational fields and with the Quality Councils (QCs); and |
| ii. | recognise a professional body and register its professional designation if the criteria contemplated in subparagraph (i) have been met. |
This P&C for professional bodies demonstrates the critical role of professional bodies in quality assurance and standards development in the NQF environment. The recognition of professional bodies, and the registration of their designations, will contribute to strengthening social responsiveness and accountability within professions and promoting pride in association for all professions and occupations. Redress is also a key imperative in the South African policy and regulatory environment. It is critical that perceptions of exclusionary practices be addressed upfront and that professions do not apply unjust policies and practices regarding who gains access to a profession.
SAQA is working with professional bodies to make sure that all South Africans benefit from the professions.
