Change in the South African education and vocational training with reference to the college sector

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:Education and vocational training in South Africa are currently in the throes of variouschanges, especially with regard to the college sector. The process commenced after 1994'shistoric first democratic elections in South Africa.The rationale for these changes presently taking place regarding education and vocationaltraining is the total transformation of this system inherited from the apartheid era. Thesechanges will put South Africa in a position to prepare itself for the challenges of the twentyfirst century, especially in the context of globalisation.Subsequent to the apartheid era many more opportunities on international markets arose forthe country than ever before. In this context of globalisation it is thus indispensable for thecountry to dispose of a well trained and skilled workforce. In this connection the need fortraining also becomes closely allied to the macro economic plan, GEAR, of the South AfricanGovernment.For the purpose of this thesis the first and second phase of the changes in the education andvocational training system in South Africa were investigated. The first phase was the policyformulation that gave rise to the Act on Further Education and Training, Act 98 of 1998. Thisthen provided the impetus behind the process of transformation in further education andtraining. The second phase is the implementation phase, currently being executed. In addition,the historical roots of the present changes in the relevant education sectors were discussed.Four strategic aims of the above changes in education and vocational training are highlighted:The South African Qualifications Authority is to take charge of quality control andstandards in the new South African qualification system.The National Qualification Framework is to establish a structured qualificationframework for the new Further Education and Training (FET) system.Learnerships, replacing apprenticeships, are being envisaged for the vocational and inservicetraining system. New ways of funding the FET system, with special reference to the sector education- andtraining authorities.Finally a description follows of the implementation of these on the national, provincial, andspecifically the college level as FET institutional level. On the basis of research undertaken,various interim findings are elucidated concerning the implementation of the changes in theeducation and vocational training system.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University