nATIONAL cREDIT & qUALIFICATIONS fRAMEWORK 

OVERVIEW

The National Credit and Qualifications Framework is a set of laws, policies and tools developed to regulate the development, registration and award of qualifications in Botswana. It provides a framework, by which all education and training (GE, TVET and HE) can be included in one system and can be compared with each other.

The framework is intended to help learners to make informed choices about their qualifications and to see what qualifications and careers paths can be available to them. It also makes it easier for the learner to explain to others what qualifications they hold. This is important when seeking to undertake further education and training, or applying for a job - at home or overseas.

It is intended to help education and training providers to ensure that the standards of their qualifications are at the required level and can be recognised locally, regionally and internationally.

For employers the framework will serve to clarify the level of education and training that their current or prospective employees possess, for example, by being able to compare with other qualifications on the framework.


The Structure of the NCQF


Botswana has a ten (10) level framework with twelve (12) qualifications types. The lowest level on the framework is the Certificate I (e.g. Primary School Leaving Examination) while the highest Doctoral Degree.


The National Credit and Qualifications Framework primary goals are:

  • Provide quality assured, nationally and internationally recognised qualifications.
  • Establish pathways for progression of the education and training qualifications.
  • Increase coherence between education and training output and the needs of the labour market.

This means that all qualifications which will be nationally recognised as having the necessary skills, knowledge and competence components will belong to the Framework. These qualifications (certificates, diplomas, degrees) will be registered on the framework.

Regulations

The NCQF regulations are subsidiary laws which derive from the BQA Act which established the BQA. The regulations of the framework cover the structure of the NQF, the qualifications types and their structure, quality assurance, standards setting, the recognition of foreign and local qualifications, credit accumulation and transfer, recognition of prior learning, articulation and referencing of the NCQF. All the regulations pertaining to these elements are included in one document NCQF Regulations. The regulations thus serve as the framework in which the Botswana qualifications will be regulated.

Policy guidelines

Policy Guidelines derive from the main elements included in the regulations. Policy-Guidelines which are contained in a Manual cover one aspect of the framework, detailing the criteria, guidelines and procedures related to that aspect. For example, the policy-guideline on qualifications/part qualifications development and registration. The policy-guidelines are the more detailed aspects of the framework. Manual for Qualifications/part qualifications Development and Registration.

NCQF Architecture (MAP)

The Qualifications Map is the most visible part of the National Credit Qualifications Framework. It shows its architecture in terms of the number of levels on the framework, the qualifications types, the pathways to qualifications, credits (the notional hours), and the level descriptors adopted for the qualifications on the map. Level descriptors basically describe the skill, knowledge, competence requirements for particular levels on the map. With credits (notional learning hours), it is used as the main tool to position qualifications on the framework.

Registration of Qualifications and Part Qualifications

Application for Development and Registration of Qualifications and Part Qualifications has two stages: Application for Pre- Approval of Qualifications Development, and then Application for Development and Registration of Qualifications. Click here for the process outline.

Application for Pre-Approval of Qualifications Development.

Application for Development and Registration of Qualifications

  • Application Form for Development and Registration of Qualifications
  • Template for Qualifications Development and Registration of Qualifications
  • Qualification Comparability Matrix

QUALIFICATIONS DEVELOPMENT AND REGISTRATION MANUAL