Umalusi – The Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training is a statutory Quality Council that assures education provision in General and Further Education and Training. The Council sets and monitors standards for general and further education and training in South Africa in accordance with the National Qualifications Framework Act No 67 of 2008 [as amended] and the General and Further Education and Training Quality Assurance Act No 58 of 2001 [as amended].
Umalusi is derived from Nguni and it means “shepherd or herder.” It takes care of one of the nation’s most treasured assets – the standards of general and further education and training, hence its name. In Nguni culture ‘Umalusi’ also means the guardian of the family`s wealth.
This council is governed and guided by the National Qualifications Act No 67 of 2008 [as amended] and its founding Act the General and Further Education and Training Quality Assurance Act No 58 of 2001 [amended in 2008]. The Council is appointed by the Minister of Basic Education to give effect to its mandate as expressed in these Acts. It also answers to the Minister of Higher Education and Training in respect of the certification of qualifications offered in TVET colleges and adult learning centers.
The council works in line with a five-year strategic plan agreed with the Ministers of Education. The strategic plan sets out Umalusi`s strategic priorities and performance measures. The strategic plan provides a framework for the annual business plan, which informs the Council`s day-to-day work and provides a basis for assessing performance.
The Council is tasked with the development and management of a sub-framework of qualifications for general and further education and training and for the attendant quality assurance. Umalusi is currently responsible for the certification of the following qualifications:
Schools:
- Senior Certificate amended (SCa) – continues as a revised qualification for adults
- National Senior Certificate (NSC)
TVET Colleges:
- National Technical Certificate (N3)
- National Certificate Vocational (NCV)
Adult Learning Centres:
- General Education and Training Certificate: Adults (GETC)
In order to issue learners with certificates that are credible, Umalusi:
- Develops and evaluates qualifications and curricula to ensure that they are of the expected standard;
- Moderates assessment to ensure that it is fair, valid, and reliable;
- Accredits providers of education and training, and assessment;
- Conducts research to ensure educational quality;
- Verifies the authenticity of certificates.
