The rationale and purpose of the qualification you are about to study are prescribed by the standards of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), are part of the original criteria of developing the qualification, and must:
- Be recommended and submitted to the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) for registration by the CHE.
- Comply with the documented Criteria for Registration. A copy of the Policy and Criteria for the Registration of Qualifications and Part Qualifications on the NQF may be accessed at http://www.saqa.org.za/docs/policy/polcri_qualpart_nqf.pdf.
- Be written in English.
- Comply with the parameters as determined in the Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework (HEQSF) for the qualification type.
The rationale should:
- Provide details of the reasoning that led to identifying the need for the qualification
- Indicate how the qualification meets specific needs in the sector for which it is developed.
- Details of consultation with a recognised professional body or industry body must be provided in respect of the need.
- Identify the range of typical learners and indicate the occupations, jobs or areas of activity in which the qualifying learners will operate
- Indicate the most appropriate learning pathway within which the qualification resides
- Indicate how the qualification will provide benefits to the learner, society and the economy.
The Purpose:
- The purpose should describe the context of the qualification and what it is intended to achieve in the national, professional and/or career context
- The purpose statement should capture what the qualifying learner will know and be able to do on achievement of the qualification. The Exit Level Outcomes must be linked to the purpose of the qualification. Graduate and occupational attributes may be used where appropriate.