SADC moves to align education

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) will formally launch the SADC Qualifications Framework. This is in an effort to re-commit to, and make the movement of learners and workers across the region, a reality.The SADC Qualifications Framework (SADCQF) is a regional framework consisting of 10 levels. The levels are based on learning outcomes and as they increase, their level of complexity also increases. The SADCQF enables member states to reference their national qualifications frameworks (NQFs) or national education system in countries where NQFs are still being developed, against the agreed-upon regional framework. This means that the SADC countries are able to benchmark their qualifications against the SADCQF, explained technical committee on certification and accreditation chairman, Joe Samuels.According Samuels, his committee has since agreed on a way of implementing the framework. “This includes the adoption of 10 alignment criteria to ensure consistency in the way member states align their own qualification frameworks or national education systems to the regional one,” he said.He also explained that the purpose of the regional framework is to enable easier movement of learners and workers across the region and internationally. “It was first established in 2011 by the education ministers in the SADC region. A technical committee on certification and accreditation was then established to make the regional framework a reality,” said Samuels.Six SADC member states have agreed to pilot the alignment process and the outcome of this pilot will guide the roll-out of the alignment for the other nine SADC states. “Regional alignment enables individuals to make comparisons of their learning and competence and also reduces unnecessary duplication of learning and effort when moving through SADC for study or work purposes,” said Samuels.Implementation of the regional framework also includes quality assurance and verification of qualifications. “SADC has created a set of 16 regional quality assurance guidelines that set the standard at a regional level. Member states must align their quality assurance mechanisms with the regional guidelines,” he explained.To facilitate the verification of qualifications in the region, member states decided to create a regional qualifications verification network. This is a tool for member states to verify qualifications used in the region. The technical committee is reconvened in Johannesburg since yesterday and will deliberate on education matters until tomorrow. “The framework will be officially launched, marking the beginning of an era of cooperation and easier access for learners and workers across the region,” said Samuels.STAFF REPORTER

SADC moves to align education

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-12

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SADC moves to align education

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-12

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