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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Life Orientation 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
117685  Postgraduate Diploma in Life Orientation 
ORIGINATOR
University of South Africa 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Postgraduate 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 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2020-09-16  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

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.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to strengthen as well as deepening teachers' knowledge, skills, attitudes and values in Life Orientation (LO) including practical application of knowledge in the working environment. Competencies in Life Orientation will be extended and an additional role in supporting teaching and learning (Minimum Requirements for Teacher Education Qualification. Furthermore, qualifying learners should be able to relate the acquired knowledge to a range of diverse contexts. Also, they should be able to apply a high level of theoretical engagement by showing a high level of intellectual independence professionalism in the discipline of Life Orientation.

The qualification aims to promote human rights, values, morality, health promotion, values, spiritual intelligence and sustainability within the African context. Qualifying learners will through practical and problem-based projects in their work environment, acquire the necessary skills in teaching methodology, facilitation and counselling in LO. Furthermore, they will be able to instil an appreciation of LO in teaching and learning environments. Also, the learners will have problem-solving skills, have ethical and professional practices, manage to learn in diverse contexts and be accountable for his or her work.

Rationale:
Postgraduate Diploma in Life Orientation addresses the teacher, learner needs and societal challenges that affect one's holistic development. Learners enrolling for this qualification should be in the teaching profession or be subject advisors, curriculum planners and policymakers in the field of Education. The qualification targets learners with NQF Level 7 who have a Bachelor's Degree and or a Diploma at NQF Level 6.

The qualification aims to equip learners with competencies that will be integrated into their teaching of the subject Life Orientation. The qualification offers learners skills for practical application of knowledge, skills and values in Life Orientation classrooms.

Learners who qualify in this qualification will be able to address the challenges that learners face in their diverse contexts. Furthermore, they will be able to demonstrate and interrogate knowledge on theories in Life Orientation and apply in a classroom context. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
This qualification may be achieved in part according to the institution's Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy, which includes learning outcomes achieved through formal, informal and non-formal learning and work experience. The RPL plan for this qualification will align itself to the institution's RPL policy. There are clear guidelines for portfolio development, and the relevant lecturers are responsible for conducting all assessment.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Education, NQF Level 7.
    Or
  • Diploma in Education plus an Advanced Diploma in Education, NQF Level 7.
    Or
  • Bachelor's Degree plus a PGCE, NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at NQF Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 120 Credits.
  • Africanisation within the Context of Life Orientation, 24 Credits.
  • Facilitation of Life Orientation in Diverse Teaching and Learning Contexts, 24 Credits.
  • Understanding Counselling and Supporting Learners from Diverse Contexts, 24 Credits.
  • Promoting Values and Spiritual Intelligence in Education, 24 Credits.
  • Linking the World of School and the World of Work, 24 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Interrogate the body of knowledge that underpin Life Orientation.
    2. Describe various perspectives and legislation on values education.
    3. Explore various facilitation strategies and the design of lessons in Life Orientation.
    4. Critically analyse Educational strategies, counselling skills that support learners from diverse contexts.
    5. Examine theoretical approaches used in career guidance and counselling.
    6. Identify and implement relevant theories for solving life challenges in the African context. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Distinguish indigenous philosophies that serve as a lens for Life Orientation.
  • Consult and discuss the body of knowledge from Western and African perspectives.
  • Explain legislation applicable to Life Orientation.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Compare and contrast the different approaches to values education.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Reveal various facilitation strategies that teachers will use to support teaching and learning.
  • Evaluate facilitation strategies from an African perspective.
  • Contextualise and apply facilitation strategies and the design of lessons in diverse teaching and learning situations.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Examine counselling skills relevant for learner support.
  • Evaluate educational strategies for learner support.
  • Apply counselling skills relevant for learner support.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Identify and analyse the theoretical foundations of career guidance and counselling foregrounded within the context of Africanisation and UNGC principles.
  • Identify career information and access to post-school institutions and financial aid.
  • Examine learnerships/internships and prospective employment opportunities available to learners.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Disclose relevant theories for practical problem-solving in the teaching and learning context.
  • Delineate exercises depicting acquired skills in solving life challenges.
  • Apply relevant theories for practical problem-solving in the teaching and learning context.

    Integrated Assessment:
    For the award of the qualification, a learner must pass all the modules. Furthermore, the learners must be able to demonstrate the knowledge, a skill acquired and applied in their work environment. Through formative and summative assessment, learners must be able to provide evidence on how they use knowledge and skills of Life Orientation in an integrative way. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The qualification and the component modules have been compared with similar qualifications from the following countries: New Zealand, England and Ireland.
    In general, this qualification compares well with international counterparts. The only significant difference is in the naming of the qualification internationally it is known as school guidance and counselling. In contrast, in South Africa, it is referred to as Life Orientation. The only significant differences are in formatting and scope of coverage or focus.

    The qualifications found to be the most comparable to the institution's qualification are as follows:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Career Guidance from Nottingham Trent University.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Counselling and Guidance) offered by the Massey University of New Zealand.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in School Guidance Counselling presented by Maynooth University-National University of Ireland Maynooth.

    These qualifications are an indication of the growing global demands of Life Orientation for teachers as professionals working with learners from diverse contexts. 
    		•

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Education Honours, Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Education, Level 9. 
    		•

    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. University of South Africa 


    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.