Transforming Education in South Africa: UK NARIC Evaluation of NSC

1. “Outside looking in” The evaluation of the NSC in South Africa by UK NARIC Anne Oberholzer

2. I am an African

3. Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world – Nelson Mandela

4. Times are changing……………..

5. Structures and systems • Minister of Higher Education and Training (anything that is not schooling) • Department of Higher Education and Training oversees • South African Qualifications Authority – SAQA • Council for Higher Education (CHE) • Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO • Institutions – universities, universities of technology, FET colleges and adult earning centres

6. Structures and systems cont. • Minister for Basic Education (Schooling) • Department of Basic Education • Umalusi(QA for basic and further education) • Accredits examining authorities • External moderation of examination papers against subject assessment guidelines of the examining authority • External monitoring of examination systems and processes

7. Structures and processes cont • National Curriculum Statements – describes national curriculum from Grade R to Grade 12 • National Senior Certificate: Grade 10 in 2006, Grade 12 2008 • Quality assurance by Umalusi - 3 assessment authorities • State – national (+/- 600 000) • IEB - national (+/- 8 200) • ERCO - national (+/- 1000)

8. IEB as an examining authority • 1989 – took over examining function of JMB; only non-racial examining authority until 1996 • Assess National Curriculum Standards within national structures and systems • Serves independent schools – state schools must write state examinations • Principle: power of assessment to positively influence teaching

9. National Minister of Education – sets standards through the national curriculum and the NSC qualification Umalusi – Quality assurance and certification council National Department of Education – subject assessment guidelines (SAGs) Examinations Directorate IEB - assessment body(SAGs) ERCO 9 x provincial departments of education +/- 170 Independent schools Districts and +/- 6 500 Schools – state and independent Independent schools <100 Lines of quality assurance

10. New National Senior Certificate Senior Certificate National Senior Certificate 2008 ff 12 years (reception year) 7 subjects - LO 29 subjects to choose from; 2 from 11 official languages – Home, FAL No differentiation Category of passes NSC NSC Higher Certificate NSC Diploma study NSC Degree study • 1975 – 2007 • 12 years • 6 subjects • 129 to choose from • Differentiation – HG, SG • University exemption

11. New National Senior Certificate cont. • Curriculum review in progress – fill gaps and reduce content where appropriate • Step back from OBE as pedagogical approach – more assistance for teachers: resources and specificity of content

12. IEB Advanced Programmes • Not part of NSC • Available to all schools • Mathematics – since 2008 • English – piloting 2011 • Development on Physics, Chemistry and Critical Thinking – 2011 • Piloting incrementally from 2011

13. Systemic issues • History – impact on resources, nature of teaching • Diversity • World class schools, teachers and learners • Highly-disadvantaged schools with impoverished learners • Pass rates • Language policy • 11 official languages • Mother-tongue education

14. UK NARIC evaluation of the NSC • In theory and in practice • Desktop and on-site visit • Findings • A qualification with an underlying level that is both robust and fit for the purpose of examining secondary school levels – AS • Advanced programmes: closer to A level • Variances in level from one subject to another • Peculiarity of Physical Sciences

15. Recommendations • Consistency in demand across subjects • The need for a qualification at Gr 9/Gr 10 – recognition of achievement on a fundamental level • Shortfall between NSC participation and pass rate – state, IEB • Provision of well-qualified teachers across the system

16. Thank you oberholzera@ieb.co.za www.ieb.co.za