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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Science Education 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
97878  Postgraduate Diploma in Science Education 
ORIGINATOR
Nelson Mandela University 
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 0640/26  2024-06-30  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:
This qualification is intended to develop an innovative, competent and reflective instructional leader who within the field of Science Education has the capacity and agency to effect significant change in the South African education system, [and that], the following instructional leadership characteristics will be addressed in the qualification:
  • Leading teaching and learning in Science Education at school and district level.
  • Developing strategic and responsive curriculum taking into account the socio-cultural backgrounds of learners.
  • Developing professional learning communities within the school and region to share innovative teaching strategies.
  • Developing appropriate, context-relevant intervention and support strategies in the science classroom.
  • Developing extra-curriculum events that support Science Education.

    Rationale:
    The Postgraduate Diploma in Science Education serves to strengthen and deepen an educator's knowledge of the field of Science Education. It enables their involvement in advanced reflection and development by means of a systematic survey of current thinking, practice and research methods in education in general and in Science Education in particular. This is a new qualification on the institution's Programmer and Qualification Mix (PQM) which will address the need to develop instructional leaders in the critical area of Science Education.

    The demand for this qualification is evident from stakeholder responses as to why they feel the need to further their continuing professional development. As the Bachelor of Education Honours (B. Ed. Hons) used to be the only qualification available, unpublished research (Adam, 2012) has shown that there is a mismatch between learner's purpose for entering the B. Ed. Hons [which has until now been the only choice] and the purpose of the B Ed Hons. This qualification fills the niche in further developing individuals who wish to improve their own practice and become instructional leaders and curriculum developers in science education. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    RPL will be applied in terms of the institutional Policy on RPL which involves inter alia that a committee be set up to consider individual cases to evaluate the portfolios of evidence outlining the knowledge, competences and skills at NQF Level 8 in order for the learner to be granted Credit in the Honours qualification. In addition, if learners have completed relevant module(s) at NQF Level 8, opportunities will be created to enable them to receive credits for these modules.

    The minimum entrance requirements are:
  • Four Year Bachelor of Education Degree.
    Or,
  • Three-year appropriate Bachelor's Degree (e.g. BSc) plus an advanced Diploma in Teaching (or a recognised professional teaching qualification). 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification consists of compulsory modules at NQF Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.
  • Curriculum Studies, 12 Credits.
  • Instructional Leadership, 12 Credits.
  • Issues in Science Education, 12 Credits.
  • Natural Science, 12 Credits.
  • Teaching for Conceptual Development in Science, 12 Credits.
  • Teacher Identities in Educational Context, 12 Credits.
  • Language in Science Education, 12 Credits.
  • Environmental Education, 12 Credits.
  • Research Report in Science Education, 24 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate an understanding of contemporary theories in Education in general, and in the field of Science Education, in particular.
    2. Employ specialised theoretical knowledge in the pedagogy of the field of Science Education.
    3. Develop communities of practice in Science Education as a reflexive leader and practitioner.
    4. Conduct action research to inform instructional practice in Science Education. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • The implications of the concept "Science for Citizenship" in the school science curriculum are discussed.
  • The concept of intellectual independence in relation to innovative thinking in developing autonomy and agency is explained.
  • The socio-political and economic considerations in developing a language policy for science classrooms in South Africa are discussed.
  • The interface between the culture of science and learners' socio-cultural upbringings in shaping their identity and world views is explained.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • The key elements of the pedagogic content knowledge for modelling-based instruction described.
  • The purpose of different types of assessment (e.g. assessment for learning, assessment as learning and assessment of learning) is identified and explained.
  • Key ideas in helping to conceptualise and frame a topic in science for teaching are identified.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • The advantages of developing a community of practice in collaboration with peers and others to demonstrate attributes of leadership in education are explained.
  • The attributes of a reflexive instructional leader in relation to classroom practice, the school and the wider community are outlined.
  • The reasons for developing a culture of inquiry for life-long learning are articulated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • The value of classroom/school-based research that related to the improvement of classroom practice is described.
  • The various research steps related to action research are systematically and practically carried out.
  • The research findings are integrated and interrogated.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The qualification complies with the institutional Assessment Policy with a focus on assessment for and as learning in formative assessment and of learning in the summative component of the assessment.

    A variety of formative assessment strategies (for e.g. assignments, seminar presentations, contribution to discussion forums, short tests etc.) will be used to develop learners' literacy and research skills as well as their comprehension and interrogation of key themes/concepts in each module. The approach employed for formative assessment will be developmental to enable learners to engage with theoretical perspectives and understandings as well as master literacy and research skills. The formative assessments will build learners' capacity to develop proficiencies in leadership and innovations in teaching. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    In New Zealand, the Postgraduate Diploma in Science Education is designed for learners interested in science or environmental education. The qualification is particularly suitable for teachers wanting to improve their content and pedagogical content knowledge in these areas. Learners may also undertake a research project in the area of Science Education.

    Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research in India offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Science Education. The qualification is designed to provide opportunities and training to teachers in science education. Various aspects that are covered in the qualification include: subject content knowledge, teaching methodology in science, laboratory experiments, research experience and experience in education technology. The training will be provided through projects and one or more formal courses.

    Conclusion:
    The qualifications cited above compare very well with this qualification in that they both have a strong curriculum development element. Learners are equipped with modern theories and principles of science teaching and are also required to undertake an independent research work. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification articulates horizontally and vertically on the NQF.

    It articulates horizontally with:
  • Bachelor of Education Honours in Curriculum and Classroom Practice, at NQF Level 8.

    It articulates vertically with:
  • A cognate Masters Degree in the area Education in Science and Technology, at NQF 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. Nelson Mandela University 


    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.