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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Demonstrate an understanding of the National Statistics System 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
262502  Demonstrate an understanding of the National Statistics System 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Statistics 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences Mathematical Sciences 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  6 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

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 unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The skills, values and knowledge reflected in this unit standard are required by people in the field of statistics. Learners would be able to contribute to a quality hierarchy of skills required to provide quality services in official statistics by demonstrating an understanding of the National Statistics System.

A person credited with this unit standard is able to:
  • Describe the National Statistics System (NSS), the National Statistics Office (NSO) and their roles in social-economic development.
  • Describe the implementation of the Principles of Official Statistics in the NSS within the framework of the National Statistics Act.
  • Describe census, major surveys and administrative data collection activities conducted regularly in South Africa and explain their relevance to national development. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Mathematics NQF Level 4.
  • Communication NQF Level 4. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Describe the National Statistics System (NSS), the National Statistics Office (NSO) and their roles in social-economic development. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The composition of the NSS in the country is described to show the scope thereof. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Examples of the uses of statistics for evidence-based policy-making at different levels are given to illustrate the significance of statistics as a discipline. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Examples of National Strategies for the Development of Statistics (NSDS) are explained to demonstrate government's commitment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The role of the National Statistics Office is described as prescribed in the National Statistics Act. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Describe the implementation of the Principles of Official Statistics in the NSS within the framework of the National Statistics Act. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The historical perspectives of the principles of official statistics are discussed to reflect the challenges for application in South Africa. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The South African National Statistics System is assessed to determine the extent to which the principles of official statistics are applied. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The principles of official statistics are critically examined in relation to the Nationl Statistics Act. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Describe census, major surveys and administrative data collection activities conducted regularly in South Africa and explain their relevance to national development. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Historical perspectives of the approaches to census, major surveys and administrative data collection activities are discussed to motivate the rationale behind the approaches. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Some major surveys conducted regularly in South Africa are described to reflect their relevance to the country's socio-economic development. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The design of the previous census in South Africa is described to highlight the main features. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Report from a major survey is presented to explain and critique the findings. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The assessment will be governed by the policies and guidelines of the relevant Education and Training Quality Assuror (ETQA) that has jurisdiction over this field of learning.

    The assessor will (at the very least) be accredited and have a relevant qualification and be a subject matter expert in this learning area and at least have 3 years experience in the skills specific area, post qualification.

    The learner can be assessed against this unit standard to obtain credits or as part of an integrated assessment for a qualification:
  • Internal moderation.
  • External moderation.
  • An assessor, accredited by the relevant ETQA, will assess the learner's competency.
  • Assessment procedures will be supplied by the ETQA in alignment with NSB requirements.
  • All assessment activities must be fair, so that all candidates have equal opportunities. Activities must be free of gender, ethnic or other bias.
  • Assessment and moderation procedures, activities and tools must be transparent, affordable and support development within the field, sub-field and NQF.
  • Questions and answers to determine theoretical knowledge are expected.
  • Assessment of a portfolio of evidence.
  • Direct observation in simulated and/or controlled work conditions. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Names, functions and locations of:
  • National Statistics System (NSS).
  • National Statistics Office (NSO).
  • Administrative data collection activities.

    Purpose of processes and procedures of:
  • The roles of the National Statistics System (NSS) and the National Statistics Office (NSO) in socio-economic development.
  • The significance of statistics as a discipline in evidence-based policy-making at different levels.

    Attributes, properties, characteristics related to:
  • Socio-economic development.
  • Composition of the NSS.
  • Composition of the NSO.

    Cause and effect, implications of:
  • The significance of statistics as a discipline in evidence-based policy-making at different levels.

    Procedures and techniques:
  • Describe the National Statistics System (NSS), the National Statistics Office (NSO) and their roles in socio-economic development.
  • Describe the implementation of the principles of Official Statistics in the NSS within the framework of the National Statistics Act.
  • Describe the relevance of major surveys conducted in South Africa to National development.
  • Describe the design of the previous census conducted in South Africa.

    Regulations, legislation, agreements, policies:
  • National Statistical Offices.
  • National Statistics Act.
  • UN Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics.

    Theory, rules, laws, principles:
  • Administrative data collection activities.

    Relationships, systems:
  • The relationship between the roles of the National Statistics System (NSS) and the National Statistics Office (NSO) and National development. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made when:
  • Demonstrating an understanding of the roles of the National Statistics System (NSS) and the National Statistics Office (NSO) in socio-economic development. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Working effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, and community during:
  • Consultation with supervisor. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively when:
  • Describing the roles of the National Statistics System (NSS) and the National Statistics Office (NSO) and National development. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information to better understand and explain:
  • The National Statistics System (NSS), the National Statistics Office (NSO) and their roles in socio-economic development.
  • The implementation of the principles of Official Statistics in the NSS within the framework of the National Statistics Act. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicating effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion when:
  • Describing the National Statistics System (NSS), the National Statistics Office (NSO) and their roles in socio-economic development.
  • Describing the implementation of the Principles of Official Statistics in the NSS within the framework of the National Statistics Act.
  • Describing census, major surveys and administrative data collection activities conducted regularly in South Africa and explaining their relevance to national development. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others when:
  • Demonstrating an understanding of the roles of the National Statistics System (NSS) and the National Statistics Office (NSO) in socio-economic development. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrating an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation when:
  • Recognising the roles of the National Statistics System (NSS) and the National Statistics Office (NSO) in the social, political, economic, legislative and environmental contexts. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Fundamental  65649   National Certificate: Official Statistics  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  PSETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    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 


    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.