NQF Support Link

Learning Programmes

Overview

A learning programme is the course of study through which learners reach defined goals. It is the set of planned learning and assessment activities in which the learner will be involved during his or her learning and/or training

Terminology;

The term ‘learning programme’ is used differently within the;education and training sector. This means that there are various understandings of the size and scope of what is defined as a learning programme, and what it is made up of. Examples are:

A learning programme can refer to a particular learning area or subject, such as Communications in English, Customer Relations or Technical Drawing.
A learning programme can also refer to the complete set of different components that make up a qualification. In the Department of Labour context, for example, the term ‘learning programme’ can mean the whole programme (that is, set of courses and learning areas) registered for a learnership ending in a qualification. It can also refer to the whole programme for an internship or an apprenticeship.
Generally, the term ‘curriculum’ is seen as broader than ‘learning programme’. The idea of curriculum includes wider contexts such as standard setting and quality assurance, while the learning programme deals mainly with the plan and the means (e.g. how will teaching and learning be delivered; what materials will be used; how will learners be assessed) for getting the learners to reach the outcomes or curriculum goals.

Recognition and certification

Learning programmes are not themselves registered on the NQF. Most learning programmes will deliver to registered unit standards, and/or outcomes for unit standard-based or non unit standard-based qualifications on the NQF. It is these that determine the kinds of awards or certification which the programme gives. Learning programmes must also meet the requirements of their sector – for example, curriculum and accreditation requirements are set out for schools and FET colleges by the Department of Education and Umalusi; higher education will be linked to HEQC requirements; and occupational education and training must meet Department of Labour, SETA, and (in the near future) QCTO requirements.; ;

Frequently Asked Questions

Category: Understandings of terms

1. What does the;term;'learning programme' cover?;click here
2. What is the difference between a learning programme and a curriculum
framework? click here
3. What is learning programme approval, and how does it relate to the accreditation
of providers? click here

Category: Design and delivery

4. What are the critical Cross-field Outcomes(CCFOs) and how do they relate to;
learning programmes? click here
5. How do unit standards relate to learning programmes? click here
6. What are the options for mode of delivery? click here
7. What constitutes support for learners? click here

Category: Monitoring and evaluation

8. What is monitoring and evaluation? click here
9. How do you collect information for monitoring and evaluation? click here

Useful Guidelines, Extracts, Tools and Templates

;In this section you will find various texts and publications on aspects of learning programme design and implementation. Some of these are taken from the SAQA website (www.saqa.org.za)or adapted from the NQF Support Link programme, while others offer examples of ETQA approaches to learning programme approval. Sample tools and templates which may be useful in the work of developing, delivering, monitoring and evaluating learning programmes are given.
Overview of learing programme componentsclick here
Designing a learning programme:digest from NQF Support Link module 3 click here
SAQA publications on learning programme development: (i) Developing Learning Programmes for NQF-registered qualifications and unit standards (SAQA 2005) click here;and (ii) The NQF and Curriculum Development (SAQA 2000). click here
Understanding what a curriculum involves: a Reading from the NQF Support Link click here
Issues relating to the development of learning materials: extract from SASSETA Guidelines click here
Example of criteria for learning programmes: extract from Bankseta Accreditation documents click here
Summary of Criteria for Programme Accreditation, Council for Higher Education click here
Tool for Learner Selection click here
Tool for gathering baseline information on learners click here
Checklist for mode of delivery click here
Some features of Monitoring and Evaluation processes
Extract on Learning Styles for programme design click here
Bloom’s taxonomy and list of website links for further information click here
An example of an activity based learning task in science: group project using the internet for research,;and;using PowerPoint to present the research. click here

Upcoming changes

In this section you will find notice of any upcoming legislation or policy debates which may impact on the topic on this page.
There are a number of developments taking place in the NQF landscape which will affect Learning Programmes.
Joint Policy Statement by the Ministers of Education and Labour. This statement refers to the setting up of the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO). The QCTO will have jurisdiction over all workplace or occupational learning at all levels of the NQF, and will have overall responsibility for learnerships, while working with the relevant SETA click here
NQF Bill 2008. This bill incorporates the new thinking around the NQF. click here
Vorwerk, C. 2007. Occupational Qualifications Framework: Proposals for a revised approach to the development and management of occupational qualifications of the NQF. Q-Africa 2007 Conference, November 2007. click here

Acts and Regulations relating to Learning Programmes

The philosophy and principles of the NQF as these relate to learning programmes are implicit in the various Acts and Regulations in the education and training field. These Acts and Regulations provide the context in which learning programmes are conceptualized and delivered. We have not selected any specific Act or Regulation that is primarily and explicitly concerned with learning programmes. You will find a link to a listing of all education and training related Acts and Regulations on the ‘Understanding and Implementing the NQF’ page on this portal.

How to order and enrol for the NQF Support Link

If you would like more information on the NQF Support Link, please click here.

Discussion Forum

This is your space to comment, to ask questions and to share with both SAQA and with other practitioners in the field. Topics could cover any aspects of learning programmes, from design to delivery issues. We would also like to encourage users to share any useful resources or information they have come across.

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