7 February 2013 | TO: | Nursing Education Institutions | | | National Department of Health | | | Provincial Departments of Health | | | Nursing Stakeholders |
Interim Guidelines on the Registration and Accreditation of Private Providers Offering Legacy Nursing Qualifications PURPOSE To update Private Providers about current changes in education and training landscape INTRODUCTION NATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK (NQF) AND SUB-FRAMEWORKS The NQF Act, 2008 (Act No. 67 of 2008) provides for the NQF which comprises of three sub – frameworks each of which is quality assured by a Quality Council (QC).  | The Occupational Qualifications Framework (OQF), is quality assured by Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) | | The General and Further Education and Training Framework, is quality assured by Umalusi, and | | The Higher Education sub- framework, is quality assured by the Higher Education Quality Council of the Council on Higher Education |
South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) is placing all qualifications or part qualifications currently on the NQF on the appropriate sub framework. Such placement will determine which QC is responsible for the quality assurance of each qualification or part qualification. - GUIDELINES
The following guidelines will apply to private providers that offer legacy qualifications. These guidelines will apply from the date of issue of this communiqué and will remain in operation until the end –date of legacy nursing qualifications on 30 June 2015. | Private Providers who are not yet registered with Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and who wish to offer legacy nursing qualifications on level 1 – 10 are currently not required to register with DHET | | They must apply to the SANC as the delegated body for accreditation to offer those qualifications as accredited Private Providers | | Private Providers who are already registered with the DHET for legacy nursing qualifications may continue with their current offerings but do not need to apply for re-registration with DHET when their registration period ends | | Private Providers who are currently registered with DHET and wish to extend their scope of provision to offer additional qualifications need only to apply for accreditation with delegated body by QCTO, in this instance, SANC |
These guidelines do not apply to the following: | Independent Education Institutions or Private Providers that offer qualifications on the other two NQF sub frameworks Higher Education Qualifications Frameworks (HEQF) level 5 – 10 and the General and Further Education and Training Qualifications Framework (GFETQF) level 1- 4. | | Such Providers must register with the DHET after accreditation by the HEQC or Umalusi respectively | | Providers are no longer required to register with the DHET in order to offer NQF qualifications | | The QCTO has delegated the quality assurance to former ETQA Professional Bodies for currently registered NQF occupational qualifications. These functions include provider accreditation | | Accredited providers are no longer required to register with DHET as PFET colleges but must ensure that their accreditation status with a Professional body remains current |
- APPLICATION FOR ACCREDITATION OF NEW INSTITUTION AS NURSING EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS
Such applications will be considered only if they are linked or supported by the Provincial Department of Health for training of categories where there is an identified shortage. Evidence must be provided from the health authorities to support the application. This will ensure that nursing education and training is in line with the needs of the healthcare delivery system of the country and translates into suitable employment for qualified nurses. - APPLICATIONS FOR ACCREDITATION OF NEW PROGRAMMES BY ACCREDITED NURSING EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS
The condition outlined in 2 above is applicable for new programmes. - APPLICATIONS TO RE INSTATE INACTIVE/ DORMANT NURSING EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS AND PROGRAMMES
This refers to institutions that have not had any intake of students in the past five years and to programmes that have not been offered in the past five years. The conditions outlined in 2 and 3 above are applicable - APPLICATION FOR NEW CAMPUSES
Conditions applicable to new Nursing Education Institutions will apply here. Where there is a support for such new campuses, the following must be observed: | The main campus must be compliant with accreditation prescript | | The new campus may apply to offer programmes already accredited for the main campus | | No new campuses will be accredited unless supported by the Provincial Department of Health for training of categories in accordance with identified needs as reflected in 2 above |
- APPLICATION FOR ACCREDITATION OF NEW CLINICAL FACILITIES OR INCREASE OF STUDENT NUMBERS
These will be considered in line with requirements to be complied with for such applications Enquiries may be directed to: Senior Manager: Nursing Education and Training
Attention Dr SW Mkhize
Email address: [email protected]
Telephone: 012 420 1022
Yours sincerely (Signed) Mr. Tendani Mabuda
Registrar and CEO
South African Nursing Council | 
