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:

Higher Certificate in Public Management

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
117953	Higher Certificate in Public Management
ORIGINATOR
Damelin
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Higher Certificate	Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies		Public Administration
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	120	Not Applicable	NQF Level 05	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered		EXCO 0821/24	2020-12-04	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 Higher Certificate in Public Management is to provide learners with a sound knowledge of the public sector environment and to develop the skills, competencies and attitudes necessary to implement the essential elements of public management, including general and specific frameworks and systems, in all spheres of government. The qualification will equip learners that are about to enter the public service to perform their roles effectively; for learners already in the public service, it will enhance their capabilities. Within a personal or professional context, this will provide learners with a foundation for a rewarding career which will enable learners to contribute meaningfully to society; it will also provide learners with a platform for progression to higher-level qualifications such as a Diploma or Bachelor's degree, and career advancement; in the national context, this will, in turn, promote, in all spheres of government, effective administration, good governance and service delivery in an efficient, accountable and transparent fashion. The qualification provides successful learners with current and future managerial and development skills for the public service, at local, provincial and national levels of government.

Upon completion of the qualification, learners will have a thorough understanding of government, the environment in which it operates, and how it is managed and will be able to implement that knowledge. Furthermore, Learners will able to analyse the socio-political circumstances which the public sector should address; identify the spheres and structures of government and define their roles and relationships with each other; critically analyse precepts and principles of public administration, identify how they are incorporated in South Africa's framework, and apply them; and understand and apply the frameworks and systems applicable to public sector finance, planning and other management functions.

This qualification is distinguished from certain other qualifications of the same level by its focus on the public sector environment. It is aimed at immersing the learner in that environment to fully understand the context of his or her studies and subsequent work and his or her role in the wider public sector. The South African public sector is highly legalistic, in that policy and management issues are often minutely addressed by legislation and regulations, and this qualification aims to provide, amongst other things, not only an understanding of the legislative framework but also of the context in which it has been developed and how it is applied.

Rationale:
Section 195 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa requires that public administration be governed by the democratic values and principles enshrined in the Constitution, which are intended to promote, amongst other things, a high standard of professional ethics, efficiency, developmentalism, impartiality and fairness, responsiveness, accountability, and transparency. The National Development Plan (NDP) notes, however, in Chapter 13 that there is "an unevenness in state capacity, which leads to uneven performance in local, provincial and national government (which) results from the interplay of a complex set of factors, including skills deficits" (NDP 2012: 364). It goes on to state that South Africa needs to focus relentlessly on building a professional public service and a capable state, and that there are several key areas where targeted action is particularly important. One such area is to "make the public service and local government careers of choice - South Africa needs to focus on building a skilled and professional public service from both the top and the bottom.

At the top, recruitment and management should be based on experience and expertise, while at junior levels, the state needs to focus on producing the skills and expertise that will be necessary for future public service cohorts" (NDP 2011: 365). These issues are echoed in the 2016 publication of the Public Service Commission (PSC), "Building a capable, career-oriented and professional public service to underpin a capable and developmental state in South Africa". After all, a principal function of the state is to provide services to its people, a function which is not feasible in the absence of appropriate levels of capacity. Finally, Government's 2014-2019 Medium Term Strategic Framework recognises the need for an "efficient, effective and development-oriented public service."

It is evident that to achieve the objectives of Section 195 of the Constitution, to build the "capable state" envisioned by the NDP, and to underpin the legitimacy of government as an institution in a modern democratic state, there is a need to provide the means of developing appropriate skills. This qualification addresses the needs of the public sector by providing learners with the knowledge essential to understand the public sector and to function effectively in it.

This qualification is intended both for individuals who wish to make a career in the public sector and for those who already are working in or in collaboration with the public sector, whether in the national, provincial or local spheres.

Therefore, the qualification is directed at a range of potential learners:

School leavers who have ambitions in the public sector.

Persons who wish to change their career paths.

Persons already employed as public administrators.

Persons who are not employed in the public sector but who work closely with it, for example, doctors, lawyers and engineers, who wish to understand better the structure and functions of government and how it operates.

The qualification will empower the learner to carry out functions confidently and with the requisite level of expertise. Furthermore, the qualification will further benefit society by addressing to some extent the skills gap which currently exists in the public sector. Also, it will benefit the economy by helping to establish the foundations of good governance which are essential to promote economic progress.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Mechanisms and systems have been developed to facilitate RPL at the institution, which would also serve all learners, namely, RPL for alternative access, RPL for credit and RPL for advanced standing.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a mechanism for formally recognising and placing a value on what people have learned through their daily life, work experience, informal and/or non-formal learning. This is an enabling mechanism for candidates to gain alternative access to further learning opportunities or improved career prospects."

There are two main pathways of RPL, namely RPL for credits and RPL for access. Both pathways are made available at the institution.

RPL for alternative access is made possible for all learners who cannot access higher education study through the traditional route of matriculation exemption certificates. During 2018, Senate approved the implementation for RPL for access. A comprehensive system has been developed to deal with the process to be facilitated at the institution, adhering to all prescribed quality assurance criteria.

Steps in this process include: Understanding the context, conversations about possibilities, sharing in a discussion, collecting and validating evidence, assessment, moderating assessments, reporting, feedback and data reporting.

Formal, non-formal and informal knowledge is regarded highly in the RPL for Access assessment as it is measured along with qualification-specific competencies. Assessments and measures include but are not limited to a competency-based interview with an academic staff member, skills assessments, complexity and potential assessments along the NQF, formal qualifications, references, study readiness related competence, and any evidence of learning obtained.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:

National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 granting access to Higher Certificate studies.
Or

National Certificate Vocational, NQF Level 4 granting access to Higher Certificate studies.
Or

Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 5 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 120 Credits:

South Africa's Political and Socio-Economic Context, 15 Credits.

Structures and Functions of Government, 15 Credits.

Public Administration, 15 Credits.

Public Finance, 15 Credits.

Public Sector Strategy, Planning And Budgeting, 15 Credits.

Public Sector Management Systems, 15 Credits.

End-User Computing, 15 Credits.

Experiential Learning, 15 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Analyse the political and socio-economic circumstances in which the public sector operates.
2. Demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of the structure of government in South Africa and the functions of its various components.
3. Apply the underlying principles which promote effective administration by utilising knowledge of the framework applicable to Public Administration in all three spheres of government gained in the programme.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the public sector financial and fiscal framework and participate in the implementation of the framework, particularly as far as the management of finances is concerned.
5. Show insight into the interrelationship between the various strategy, planning and budgeting mechanisms in the public sector.
6. Implement selected public management systems.
7. Demonstrate applied knowledge and understanding of end-user-computing- related concepts.
8. Use the internet and e-mail effectively in a work environment.
9. Demonstrate applied knowledge and understanding of Word Processing, spreadsheet and presentation software.
10. Demonstrate awareness of the practical implementation of key systems, processes and mechanisms which are applied the in the public sector.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Show an understand of political ideologies, social theories and economic doctrines relevant to South Africa.

Demonstrate an understanding of the political and socio-economic environment in which the Government of South Africa operates.

Understand the concept of the developmental state.

Identify challenges facing the Government in South Africa.

Interpret selected policies intended to address those challenges.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Identify the various spheres of government and their executive, legislative and (where applicable) judicial competencies and structures in the context of decentralisation as a politico-administrative paradigm.

Define the functions of the various spheres of government as provided for in the Constitution.

Identify Chapter 9 institutions, public entities and other organs of state and explain their purposes.

Explain the system of intergovernmental coordination and cooperation.

Identify and interpret critical legislation constituting the public sector framework (e.g. Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act, Local Government: Municipal Structures Act).

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Explain public management doctrines relevant to South Africa.

Describe the public management reform process in South Africa.

Interpret and apply Section 195 of the Constitution.

Interpret and apply the relevant legislation relating to public administration in the national and provincial spheres (Public Service Act and Regulations) and local sphere (Local Government: Municipal Systems Act and Regulations).

Interpret and apply public sector codes of conduct.

Apply general management principles in the context of the public sector.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Identify and assess the appropriateness and efficacy of the various sources of government funding in all spheres, including taxes, user charges and borrowing.

Understand and evaluate South Africa's intergovernmental finance system.

Interpret and apply the Constitutional and legislative provisions relating to fiscal and financial matters, especially Chapter 13 of the Constitution, and key elements of the Public Finance Management Act and Treasury Regulations, and the Municipal Finance Management Act and associated Regulations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

Understand and assess the utility of various strategic and planning instruments, including the National Development Plan, Medium Term Strategic Framework, Departmental Strategic Plans, Departmental Annual Performance Plans, Annual Reports, and Municipal Integrated Development Plans.

Describe public budgeting processes and principles (including Medium Term Expenditure Framework) in all spheres of government, manage budgeting processes, interpret budgets, interpret relevant legislation, and establish the linkage between planning and budgeting.

Develop, interpret and evaluate Key Performance Indicators in institutional performance management processes; establish the linkage between institutional performance management systems, planning and budgeting.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:

Understand, analyse and apply critical elements of Supply Chain Management, Human Resource Management, Individual Performance Management, Project management and Public participation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:

Discuss the history of computers.

Define a personal computer (PC) and explain how it works.

Identify the main components of PC hardware.

Explain the importance of upgrading a PC.

Identify various PC software applications.

Distinguish between hardware and software.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:

Distinguish internet e-mail and network e-mail.

Identify the various components of a recognised e-mail programme.

Compose, format, and open an e-mail message.

Attach files to an e-mail effectively.

Create e-mail folders and explain the reason for creating them.

Move messages to an e-mail folder.

Manage contacts effectively and explain an e-mail system.

Use the help function in an e-mail system effectively.

Use electronic calendars and electronic diaries effectively.

Explain Internet basics, and distinguish the internet and the extranet.

Define viruses.

Identify web browsers.

Explain the Uniform Resource Locator (URL)

Identify the Microsoft Internet Explorer Interface.

Use web-based tools and download programs and files from the web.

Explain the workings of a search engine.

Perform a competent search for usable information on the internet.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9:

Execute the functions and applications in on word processing software programme effectively and efficiently.

Create a spreadsheet, save, navigate within, format and edit.

Preview and print worksheet data.

Execute the functions and applications in presentation software effectively and efficiently

Create a presentation, save, navigate within, format and edit

Print preview and print presentation slides

Use the following tools in a presentation software application

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10:

Observe and understand the processes followed in the national or provincial legislature and the council of a municipality using group visits to sessions of these institutions.

Understand and observe the processes followed in the judicial system using a group visit to the High and Magistrate's court.

Follow and understand Key policy statements (State of the Nation Address, Budget Speech, Medium Term Budget Policy Statement) using observing broadcasts in real-time.

Discuss the issues of governance and service delivery in addresses to learners by National Ministers, Provincial MECs and Mayors.

Acquire practical experience of various processes by participation in various simulations:

Integrated Assessment:
The following are the proposed assessment structure (formative and summative) for the qualification:

Online assessments (Formative).

Individual Assignments (Formative).

Examination (Summative).

The mark for the experiential learning module is assessed based on the learner's and mentor's feedback in the Portfolio of evidence that they are required to hand in. A minimum mark of 50% is required to pass.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

This qualification was compared to the following international qualifications:
Country: United States of America
Institution: The Bush School of Government and Public Service at the Texas A&M University
Qualification Title: Certificate in Public Management

The institution offers a one-year qualification which "focuses on the capabilities required for effective and ethical leadership in the public and non-profit sectors. This includes the knowledge and skills about the internal operation of public service organizations and the relationship between those organisations and their environments."

Country: United States of America
Institution: Willamette University
Qualification Title: Certificate in Public Management

The institution offers a one- year qualification. Its approach appears to be "By integrating best business practices with the public sector's needs, participants learn to do more with less, regardless of whether they work for federal, state or local government entities. They gain an enriched understanding of the challenges facing today's public organisations from experienced and knowledgeable instructors. They also benefit from collaborating and building lasting relationships with peer professionals in the courses."

Country: Canada
Institution: Ryerson University
Qualification Title: Certificate in Public Administration and Governance

The institution offers an entry-level qualification which "reflects the latest developments in public sector issues and initiatives and features a mix of courses providing learners with a broad understanding of the Canadian political process. The courses emphasise the importance of linking the theory and practice of public administration to concerns of political economy and public policy."

Country: Canada
Institution: The University of Northern British Columbia
Qualification Title: Certificate in Public Administration

The institution offers a Certificate in Public Administration consisting of "courses are drawn primarily from the Political Science program; offerings from Business Administration, Economics and English are also included. The qualification is generic so that the knowledge acquired from the program of study can be transferred to different government settings, as well as to the variety of situations that learners will encounter throughout their lives. The purpose of the certificate is three-fold: first, to provide educational opportunities to assist individuals involved in the administration of municipal governments, health boards, school boards and provincial government departments and agencies in northern British Columbia; second, to deliver the four specialised courses in local government administration for the Municipal Officers' Association Intermediate Certificate in Municipal Administration; and, third, to provide expanded educational opportunities at the university level for learners who are not in a position to commit to a four-year program of study."

Country: United Kingdom
Institution: Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC)
Qualification Title: Higher National Certificate in Public Service

A wide range of qualifications in public management is offered in the United Kingdom, mostly at bachelors and postgraduate level. There are, however, several other qualifications offered at school and post-school level under the auspices of various quality authorities. One such authority is the Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC).

The closest comparable qualification that could be found for the UK is the recently introduced BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Public Service. The qualification is purportedly at the first-year university level and has a UK qualification credit value of 120 Credits, made up of eight units. Total qualification time is 1,200 hours.

Conclusions
It is not always easy to draw comparisons between the qualification at present under consideration and qualifications offered in other jurisdictions. The content of qualifications in the different jurisdictions reflects, to a greater or lesser extent, the different approaches and societal norms and needs that prevail in them respectively. This is demonstrated particularly clearly by the UK BTEC qualification discussed above. The range and nature of the units suggest priorities in the UK public service which are very different from those which apply in South Africa.

Apart from two of the mandatory units, and perhaps five or six of the optional units, there is relatively little that South Africans would recognise as typical content for a public management qualification. The Willimette University qualification also differs from typical offerings in South Africa, as it takes a distinctly New Public Management approach, by emphasising the application of private-sector practices in the public sector environment (that said, the influence of New Public Management doctrine on South Africa's public sector frameworks cannot be ignored). The offerings from the Bush School of Government and the two Canadian institutions display greater commonality with typical South African offerings.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

National Certificate in Municipal Governance, Level 5.

Vertical Articulation:

Advanced Certificate in Municipal Governance, Level 6.

Diploma in Public Management and Administration, Level 6.

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.

NONE