Educational

systems of

South Africa

Objectives of the report:

Identify/ characterize/ distinguish the different educational system of South Africa, United kingdom, and USA

Distinguish and compare it with the educational system of our country, specifically the BEC and k-12 curriculum, and:

Raise the awareness on the said matter for the future purpose it may serve

Educational system of South

Africa

In South Africa, the constitution

guarantees equal access to basic

education.

The identified values and principles of South African Education

includes:

Equity and redress

Ministry of Education

Access to basic

education

opportunities for

lifelong learning quality

Relevance of Education

Quality in terms of

providing learners with

learning opportunities

of acceptable

standards

efficiency

Democratic

participation

Sustainability of

development

Structure and organization in the

Basic Education System

Formal Education categories

in South Africa Sectors or level

Public ordinary school

education

Independent school education

Teacher training technikon

University training

Public school

Maybe an ordinary school or a public

school for learners with special education

needs.

Levels are:

a. Pre-primary

b. Primary

c. Secondary

d. Higher education

Compulsory General

Education and Training

Cover the reception years such as:

a. Grades R to Grades IX

The general education and Training

corresponds to the Level 1 of the

National qualifications fr

Divided in three phases

1. Foundation phase (Grades R-III)

2. Intermediate (Grades IV-VI)

3. Senior Grades (Grades VII-IX)

Primary Education is divided

into categories

Junior primary-(Grade I-III)

Senior Primary (Grade IV-VI)

Grade VII-IX is the last stage for compulsory education and will lead to General Education and Training Certificate.

Further Education And Training (FET) is not compulsory (Grade X-XII). This will lead to Senior Certificate.

Technical schools offers technical

education which generally last for three

years are offered n technical centers,

high schools, and vocational schools.

8 leaning areas of FET 1. Language, Literacy and Communication

2. Mathematical literacy, Math and Math. Sciences

3. Natural sciences

4. Technology

5. Human and Social Sciences

6. Economics And Management Science

7. Arts and Culture

8. Life Orientation

Higher Educational System

Tertiary and higher education corresponds to Level 5-8 of the National Qualification Framework (NQF). Which is more advance than Senior Certificate.

Institutions of higher education includes colleges, universities, and technikons.

Most colleges of education offers 3 year program leading to the Diploma in Education (4 years or higher diploma).

College of nursing and hospital schools offers four year diploma courses for nursing.

Agricultural schools offer 1 year certificate, 2 year for higher certificate programs and 3 year diploma courses.

Technikons offers bachelor and three years of technical courses diploma in technology.

Master’s degrees (magister technologiae)

usually requires a minimum of 1 yr study, the

doctorate (Lauretus in Technology/ Doctor of

Technologiae) at least two years.

A honours degree requires one additional

year of study.

A master’s degree is obtained after one or

two year of study and the mininum time to

complete doctorate is two years.

School year consist of 196 days (41 week)

Other relevant sector of the educational

structure includes special education,

private education or independent

schools, adult and non-formal education

and HV/AIDS education.