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 trainingtechnikon

University training

Public school Maybe an ordinary school or a public

school for learners with special education needs.

Levels are: a. Pre-primaryb. Primaryc. Secondaryd. 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 FET1. Language, Literacy and Communication2. Mathematical literacy, Math and Math.

Sciences3. Natural sciences4. Technology5. Human and Social Sciences6. Economics And Management Science7. Arts and Culture8. 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.