INCA Education around the world
South Africa : Initial teacher training
7.1.2 Types of training courses and institutions
7.1.2.1 Admissions
7.1.3 Trainers
7.1.4 Curriculum for initial teacher training
7.1.5 Qualifications and standards
7.1.5.1 Qualifications and entitlement
7.1.5.2 Probationary periods
7.1.6 Post-qualification induction periods
Please note that the initial teacher training sections of the website were originally funded by the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA). They have not been updated since March 2009 and the information provided in them may have been superseded.
7.1 First phase, pre-compulsory education, ages 0-5/6, [see 3.2.1]
The minimum requirement for the caregivers of children in the pre-compulsory education phase, ages 0 - 4/5 is the Basic Certificate: Early Childhood Development. This is a Level 1 qualification on the National Qualifications Framework. Although this is the minimum requirement, there are currently without the qualification. 32
The minimum requirement for practitioners of children in the Grade R class is the National Certificate: Early Childhood Development this is a Level 4 qualification on the National Qualifications Framework. This is an interim measure towards enabling practitioners to have opportunities to upgrade their qualifications in order to meet the minimum requirement as an educator, that is a Level 6 qualification on the National Qualifications Framework. 32
7.1.1 Control
Information being collected.
7.1.2 Types of training courses and institutions
Post-Grade 12 students, who qualify for entrance to higher education, can study towards a Foundation Phase Educator Degree, which prepares them to teach children from Grade R to 3. 32
There are no formal publicly funded training institutions catering for teachers in the birth to 4/5 years phases. Training is offered by private training providers who are required to be accredited. Courses and programmes are required to be consistent with the Early Childhood Development (ECD) educator unit standards and qualification that are registered by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). 32
7.1.2.1 Admissions
Admissions criteria and policy for the birth to 4/5 years and practitioner training varies across the different training providers. However, due to the need to develop and professionalise the ECD sector, the Government has worked in partnership with private training providers to target training at ECD practitioners who have worked in some capacity as a practitioner for more than three years. 32
7.1.3 Trainers
Trainers of the pre-Grade R and Grade R practitioners are employees of training institutions and providers. These institutions and providers set minimum qualification requirements for their trainers and generally facilitate in-service professional development. 32
7.1.4 Curriculum for initial teacher training
Training providers are required to use the qualifications and unit standards that are registered by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) to develop their curricula and training programmes. These have to be evaluated and approved by the Education, Training and Development Practice Quality Assurance Body as part of the accreditation requirements for the training providers. 32
7.1.5 Qualifications and standards
ECD qualifications have to conform to the criteria and provisions of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). Unit standards and qualifications have to be approved and registered by the South African Qualifications Authority. All qualifications and learning programmes offered by providers have to develop in compliance with these registered unit standards and qualifications. All qualifications and unit standards are reviewed every three years by the South African Qualifications Authority. There are currently three ECD practitioner qualifications available at Levels 1, 4 and 5 of the NQF. There are also ECD practitioner skills programmes at levels 2 and 3, which are not full qualifications. 32
7.1.5.1 Qualifications and entitlement
Information being collected.
7.1.5.2 Probationary periods
Information being collected.
7.1.6 Post-qualification induction periods
Further information being collected.
