SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Advanced Diploma in Adult and Community Education and Training Teaching 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
104533  Advanced Diploma in Adult and Community Education and Training Teaching 
ORIGINATOR
Durban University of Technology 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Advanced Diploma  Field 05 - Education, Training and Development  Schooling 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 07  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to enable learners with qualifications at or equivalent to Level 6 in fields relevant to adult, post school or community education to gain the skills and understanding to work effectively as adult or community Educators.

This qualification provides a route for holders of appropriate Degrees or National Diplomas to become professionally qualified adult educators or professionally qualified community education and training Lecturers. It accredits a professional qualification as an Educator or Lecturer in adult and community education and training that 'caps' an undergraduate qualification. It offers entry-level initial professional preparation of graduates who wish to develop focused knowledge and skills as Educators and Lecturers in a particular vocational field or subject offered in Adult and Community Education and Training (ACET). For this purpose, this qualification requires a specific depth and specialisation of knowledge, together with practical skills and workplace experience to enable successful learners to enter into teaching and lecturing in ACET.

Rationale:
The White Paper for Post School Education and Training and The Policy on Minimum Requirements for Programmes Leading to Qualifications for Educators and Lecturers in Adult and Community Education and Training (published in the Government Gazette of 27 March 2015) refer to the lack of higher education units with sufficient expertise in adult education to develop the White Paper proposals for expansion of this sector, and note the need to develop adult and community education qualifications from certificate to Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) level. However, there are as yet very limited opportunities in the country for learners to study at this level in field.

To illustrate the extent of this need, 45% of South African youth is unemployed, and the effects of unfulfilled educational needs continue to incapacitate many adults. The White Paper acknowledges that despite advances of post-apartheid democracy, our education system still replicates divisions of the past. Yet education for adults is still marginalised. The paper emphasises the necessity to meet the educational needs of several millions of unemployed, poorly educated and out of school adults, stating that "the education and training system should not only provide knowledge and skills required by the economy. It should also contribute to developing thinking citizens, who can function effectively, creatively and ethically as part of a democratic society. They should have an understanding of their society and be able to participate fully in its political, social and cultural life" (p.9). The proposed Community Colleges may go some distance to offering adults educational opportunities that would meet many of their needs, but to do this they need to be staffed with well trained and well-resourced adult educators.

This Advanced Diploma is a qualification in Adult and Community Education rather than in Adult Education. This acknowledges the importance of community in the lives of most ordinary South Africans as well as the White Paper's recognition of the non-formal sector in relation to community responsiveness and its focus on citizen and social education. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The structure of this qualification makes the Recognition of Prior Learning possible, and the policy of the institution allows for Recognition of Prior Learning for purposes of access. RPL for access to registration as a learner on this Diploma will require the submission of a portfolio of evidence to show that the candidate has the skills, knowledge and capabilities associated with a Bachelor's Degree at Level 7 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) or its equivalent, or a 360 Credit National Diploma at Level 6 on the NQF, or its equivalent.

If the policy of the institution allowed for Recognition of Prior Learning for purposes of achievement of an Advanced Diploma, this would require the submission of a portfolio of evidence to show that the candidate has gained knowledge and understanding commensurate with the Exit Level Outcomes and the Associated Assessment Criteria.

Part credits could be awarded for RPL of individual modules if a learner presents evidence of meeting the Exit Level Outcomes and the Associated Assessment Criteria relating to a particular module.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirements are:
  • A Bachelor's Degree at Level 7.
    Or
  • A 360 Credits National Diploma. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules at Level 7 totalling 128 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 7, 96 Credits:
  • History and theories of adult and community education, 16 Credits.
  • Academic skills, 16 Credits.
  • Adult, community and post school education: Policy and practice, 16 Credits.
  • Curriculum, instructional design, and assessment in adult, community and post school education, 16 Credits.
  • Practicum portfolio development, 32 Credits.

    Elective Modules, Level 7, 32 Credits (Select two modules):
  • Teaching methodologies for Communication and Language: isiZulu, 16 Credits.
  • Teaching methodologies for Communication and Language: English, 16 Credits.
  • Teaching methodologies for Mathematics and Mathematical Literacy, 16 Credits.
  • Teaching methodologies for Information and Communication Technology, 16 Credits.
  • Teaching methodologies for Life Orientation, 16 Credits.
  • Teaching methodologies for Natural Sciences, 16 Credits.
  • Teaching methodologies for Social Studies, 16 Credits.
  • Teaching methodologies for Early Childhood Educational Development, 16 Credits.
  • Teaching methodologies for Economic and Management Sciences, 16 Credits.
  • Teaching methodologies for Ancillary Health Care, 16 Credits.
  • Teaching methodologies for Community Education, 16 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate a good understanding of the field of adult and community education, especially its history and central theories.
    2. Demonstrate a good understanding of what constitutes critical academic skills and how to foster their development among adults.
    3. Demonstrate sound knowledge of the policies pertaining to adult and community education in South Africa, and an understanding of various models of practice existing in the country.
    4. Demonstrate familiarity with current forms purposes and contexts of adult education, and the ability to translate curricula into plans for learning sessions and educational events that are appropriate for and attractive to adult learners.
    5. Mastery of teaching methodologies in at least two learning and teaching areas pertinent to adult education. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Display knowledge of the work of theorists whose work is seminal to adult and community education.
  • Display a sound grasp of the philosophical, historical and social contexts of adult and community education.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the barriers to learning historically faced by adult learners.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Access a variety of texts using a library and electronic media.
  • Display clear understanding of differences between different genres of text and their purposes and use.
  • Critically read texts and information.
  • Synthesize information from different sources into a discursive whole.
  • Integrate new information with existing knowledge and own experience in writing.
  • Demonstrate clear threads of reason and logic in writing.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Demonstrate sound understanding of the constitutional and policy framework governing adult and post-school education in South Africa.
  • Display familiarity with current qualifications available to adult learners.
  • Display familiarity with the range of delivery models, practices and contemporary research in adult, post-school and community education in South Africa.
  • Demonstrate insight into contexts and needs of learners.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Plan learning sessions and educational events that accurately reflect curricular purposes.
  • Plan learning sessions and educational events that relate directly to the needs of intended learners.
  • Suit learning sessions and educational events to different purposes, contexts, and mode of delivery.
  • Use modes of delivery and available technology that best suits context and purpose of learning sessions and educational events.
  • Design assessment tasks that effectively assess intended learning and are appropriate to learners and context in view.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Demonstrate sound grasp of teaching methodologies appropriate to the learning area and context of learning.
  • Communicate concepts and relevant information clearly.
  • Facilitate in depth, comprehensive learning as opposed to superficial rote learning of content.
  • Demonstrate respect for learners and appreciation of their needs.
  • Design assessment task appropriate to the learning area and intended learners.

    Integrated Assessment:
    In each of the four 16 Credit compulsory modules and two 16 Credit elective modules that learners must complete, assessment consists of two coursework assignments, which will make up 50% of their final mark, and a final examination, which will count for 50% of their final mark.

    Learners will receive formative assessment from assigned supervisors during the compilation of their practicum portfolios. Assessment of the completed portfolios will be summative and result in a final mark for this 32 Credit module. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Most Postgraduate qualifications in adult or community education are offered at universities in the United Kingdom and in the United States, which have also provided the context for theory development in this field.

    However, this qualification, with others being carried out in the few African universities offering post graduate studies in this field, will bring a new dimension of study to the field in that students will study adult and community education in African the contexts.

    In terms of level, scope and assessment criteria, this qualification is similar to the postgraduate teaching qualifications in Adult and Community Education in the following universities in other countries:

    United States of America (USA), Colorado State University, Adult Education Authorization Training Postgrad Certificate Course; and the Penn State College of Education, Certificate in Distance Education; Certificate in Family Literacy:

    The qualifications listed above demonstrate similarities to our Advanced Diploma in Adult and Community Education and Training Teaching. In particular, the admission requirements and the duration of the qualification are similar. The two qualifications based in the US differ from our Advanced Diploma in that they focus mainly on the teaching of basic skills. The qualification at Colorado State University appears to focus particularly on preparing students to teach immigrants (since teaching of English as an additional language is emphasised), and the qualification at Penn State College focuses on family literacy.

    Ireland:
    The Higher Diploma in Further Education offered by Maynooth in Ireland focuses particularly on youth education. Elective courses in our Advanced Diploma will prepare students to teach subjects to be offered in the National Senior Certificate for Adults (NASCA), and therefore might be similar to the Irish qualification in this respect.

    Australia:
    This qualification was also compared with the Graduate Certificate in Tertiary and Adult Education offered by Murdoch University and the Graduate Diploma in Adult and Vocational Education offered by the University of Wollongong.

    The qualifications offered by Murdoch University and the University of Wollongong appear to be the most similar to our Advanced Diploma. As in our Advanced Diploma, they focus on theories, concepts, and practice of adult and community education, and have a similar structure in terms of curriculum.

    Overall, all of these qualifications appear to be shaped by the contexts of the institutions at which they are based. Likewise, our Advanced Diploma is shaped by our context, and will strive to offer students the understanding and skills they will need to teach adults in South Africa who are likely to seek learning opportunities. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows for both horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Certificate in Education, Level 7.
  • Advanced Diploma in Technical and Vocational Teaching, Level 7.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Adult and Community Education, Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Education Honours in Adult and Community Education and Training. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Durban University of Technology 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.