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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 Administration for Community Service 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
93600  Higher Certificate in Public Administration for Community Service 
ORIGINATOR
University of Fort Hare 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Higher Certificate  Field 07 - Human and Social Studies  General Social Science 
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
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 Higher Certificate in Public Administration for Community service is designed to use critical learning tools to probe and deepen knowledge in key areas of Public Administration, and Local government as well as instil practice strategies to begin changes and ignite development potential in our local communities. The 'wholeness' of the Higher Certificate course is in its strong multidisciplinary content, which is seen as an innovative approach to the hydra-headed challenges facing local government in South Africa.

Rationale:
The Institution has been undergoing a process of restructuring the organisation of its services to the communities it serves. As a result of this restructuring, the Department of Public Administration is introducing an innovative course focused on a new academic dispensation committed to offering accessible higher education in a dynamic environment of excellence and innovation. The Institution is committed to the growth and development of our people as the key to our continued excellence and quality. The Higher Certificate in Public Administration for community service represents a one year journey of learning, discovery and insight for participants whose locus of work and experience is at the community level. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
RPL is applied using the Institution's RPL policy which adheres to clearly stipulated criteria. The Institution admission policy, promotes access and equal opportunity to tertiary education at all levels through the Recognition of Prior Learning policy. RPL will be applied by requesting prospective RPL candidates to submit a portfolio comprising work related experiential work as profiles of work related short certificate (CE) courses. These will be assessed and admission determined accordingly in terms of the Institution's policy and criteria on RPL.

Entry Requirements:
The qualification is open to learners with:
  • Senior Certificate (SC) with matriculation exemption.
    Or
  • National Senior Certificate (NSC) OR equivalent, as recognised by Senate.
    Or
  • Mature age exemption (i.e. 23 years old with two languages and 4 symbols in SC or NSC). 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
  • Introduction to Public Administration, 24 Credits.
  • Introduction to Public Human Resources Management, 16 Credits.
  • Introduction to Community Governance Leadership, 16 Credits.
  • Introduction to Community Entrepreneurial Management, 24 Credits.
  • Introduction to Community Based Organisations (CBOs), Civil Society Studies, 16 Credits.
  • Introduction to Local Government Municipal Administration, 24 Credits.
    All credits are at the level of the qualification (NQF Level 5). 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Link relevant policy issues, concepts, job related policies, strategies and programmes with a focus for improving community development through innovative ideas and/or projects for communities most vulnerable (unemployed youth, women and children).
    2. Communicate information reliably, accurately and coherently in writing, verbally and ability to reflect universal conventions in copyright and plagiarism.
    3. Identify and define problems in practice of administration.
    4. Apply solutions based on Public Administration disciplinary prescripts towards running effective innovative community programs and causes.
    5. Use proposal writing and advocacy skills to develop logical and informed proposals and discourse in engagement with local government actors on questions of effective and efficient running of government administration. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The Associated Assessment Criteria are applicable in an integrated way against all or some of the Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Key issues based on policies are prepared and presented.
  • Critical issues and key developments relating to public management are discussed.
  • Leadership, strategy, performance management and human resource management are applied.
  • Skills, knowledge and other tools are used to make sense of the world of public policy and management.
  • Situations and problems are analysed and used to improve practice.
  • An understanding of public policies, management systems and administrative systems are demonstrated.
  • Public managers are assisted to solve practical problems and strike trade-offs in difficult dilemmas.
  • Group discussions and presentations are conducted for the purpose of sharing best practice.
  • Application of practice examples in discussion of key concepts through the use of basic research techniques which explore experience and participation is demonstrated.
  • Theoretical issues within the context of practice are outlined.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Theory and practice are integrated in assessment through the use of practice case studies, assignments that target local problems. This simulates the management of systems based on an understanding of the roles and relationship between elements with wider governance and administrative contexts. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Qualifications are offered by institutions from other countries and these qualifications are concerned with the implementation of governmental policy that serves the wide population; it carries political activity and decision into actions or public programmes for the well-being of the society and the citizen.

    Short Course Executive Seminars and Certificates in Public Management are offered by the Hartie School of Governance. The courses assist individuals with skills and knowledge from a variety of sectors, disciplines and countries where they exchange views on current challenges and best practices in public management. The courses also assist individuals with knowledge on how to tackle multi-disciplinary problems on topics from European governance to leadership and project management.

    It must be noted that what is unique about this qualification is its innovative approach to a public administration certificate qualification, taking a multidisciplinary approach to its local governance focus.
    Nevertheless, it was important to benchmark associated outcome levels for the qualification and individual modules with other comparable higher certificate and advanced certificate courses from South African, United States and United Kingdom universities. For instance the University of California Berkeley certificate programmes (such as the leadership in sustainability and environmental management) that are focused on not just advancing knowledge but aimed at providing tools for on the ground problem solving skills. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The Higher Certificate in Public Administration for Community service will articulate
  • Horizontally with National Diploma in Public Finance Management and Administration at NQF Level 5.
    Or
  • Vertically with Diploma: Public Administration or Diploma: Public Administration and Management or National Diploma: Public Management and Administration at NQF Level 6. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

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

    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 Fort Hare 


    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.