SACAI Newsletter
November 2021
Coffee with Keith
Keith Maseko – CEO of SACAI
Over the last 12 months, SACAI has enjoyed the synergy created from the merger with Benchmark Assessment Agency (BAA). BAA brought its expertise to create a division that focusses on Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) within SACAI. Cross pollination on the conduct and administration of examinations has also been realised where challenges, lessons learnt, and interventions (improvements) have been shared among the two divisions (ABET and NSC) to maintain the credibility of assessments offered by SACAI.
ABET was severely affected in 2020 due COVID-19 lockdowns. The majority of ABET candidates come from various industry sectors ranging from mining and construction to manufacturing. These are employed individuals that have been given a second chance through the organisations they work for. They can now embark upon a learning journey on how to read and write, and eventually achieve an NQF level 1 qualification. This qualification is equivalent to a grade 9 qualification and is presented in the form of a certificate issued by Umalusi.
The closure of some companies, retrenchments and cutting down of training budgets severely affected the numbers of candidates that were registered to write SACAI ABET examinations. Examination registrations for ABET are done either directly by the companies that run ABET programmes, or indirectly through an ABET Training Provider contracted to assist the company with ABET training material and facilitation services.
There are also other interventions of ABET that come in the form of community projects, either funded by a specific SETA or an organisation (predominantly mines). Unemployed adults within these communities are invited to attend ABET classes to learn how to read and write, and formalise their education. These community projects have proven to be a success as a number of these community members are offered employment by these organisations upon the completion of their ABET programme.
ABET has always had potential of turning around the South African Literacy rate and allowing those that could not read and write a second chance to add value to their lives. Improving literacy allows candidates to be able to interpret their payslips, read religious texts, help their children with homework and being functional at work by conceptualising data presented to them.
Despite the benefits mentioned above, ABET programmes still face challenges of funding by some of the SETAs and organizations that have decided to scale down on their training budgets. Moreover, ABET Level 4 (NQF Level 1) is often confused with NQF Level 4 (Matric) among some candidates. These candidates often feel cheated as they thought they had accomplished a Matric qualification which would improve their chances of promotion or employment elsewhere.
Nevertheless, SACAI appreciates the steps taken thus far by the various companies within the industry sector to ensure that their employees (ABET candidates) are safe, which has resulted in candidates going back to the training rooms to resume their ABET classes to be ready to sit for examinations. The current trend of ABET candidates resuming with examinations resembles that of the pre-COVID era. Therefore, SACAI expects a full recovery of ABET training nation-wide in 2022 and 2023.
SACAI ABET Department
The SACAI ABET Division (formerly Benchmark Assessment Agency) annually assists between 3 000 and 4 000 learners with ABET Level 1 to 4 examinations. More than 40 000 learners have already obtained an ABET certificate through Benchmark. In 2020 Benchmark Assessment Agency merged with SACAI. Ms Chipo Chibaya, Head of ABET, said they plan to expand to other qualification offerings (notably the ASC, as well as GETCA and NASCA) in future.
SACAI is in the process of applying for its full accreditation from Umalusi. Umalusi is the quality council that sets and monitors standards for general and further education and training in South Africa in accordance with the National Qualifications Framework. Having said that, Umalusi solidifies SACAI’s ABET position in the education arena and assist learners to get another chance to change their lives and enables them to re-enter the formal sector. Once the first phase in the qualification has been obtained learners can continue with their academic route to obtain Grade 11 and 12 qualifications or opt for the vocational route to become tradesmen.
SACAI ABET designs, conducts, and manages assessments at ABET Levels 1 – 4 (Please refer to the Where does ABET fit in the National Qualification Framework? elsewhere in the newsletter). Their team consist of highly qualified and experienced professionals who are subject matter experts, assessment instrument developers as well as assessors and moderators.
WHAT DOES SACAI ABET OFFER?
SACAI ABET Offers unit standards-based summative assessments for:
Communication in English and Mathematical Literacy in English (AET levels 1 – 3)
Communication in Afrikaans (AET levels 1 – 3)
NQF Level 1 National Examinations – Fundamentals, Core and Elective subjects (AET level 4)
Communication in Sepedi, SiSwati, Xitsonga, Setswana, Tshivenda, IsiXhosa and IsiZulu (AET level 1)
Moderation of Portfolios of Evidence (POEs)
Mock Exams
WHAT MAKES SACAI DIFFERENT?
SACAI ABET is among the first Assessment Bodies to introduce:
- An Online Invigilator training programme.
- An Educator file training video that empowers educators to compile Site Based Assessments (SBAs) in accordance with Umalusi standards.
- Centre Manager / Chief Invigilator Exam Management File Training Video that empowers centres to conduct their exams in accordance with Umalusi standards.
WHY DO OUR CLIENTS CHOOSE SACAI?
SACAI ABET offers unit standards-based summative assessments for:
Passion for the outcome of their candidate results
Prioritisation of their candidates
Faster turnaround time regarding statement of results which is issued within three weeks of receiving the exam scripts (AET Levels 1 – 3)
Certificates issued within two weeks after the results and based on the client confirming the accuracy of the statement of results (AET Levels 1 – 3)
Quicker turnaround for queries
Candidate performance that is improved through their intervention of facilitator forums, client support, workshops and site visits.
Current and credible assessments
Availability and flexibility of assessments as well accommodations for special exams
Monthly registrations
Highly controlled processes in ensuring quality of assessing and moderation of question papers
Results tracking system
Competitive prices, including learner registration; question paper distribution; marking; moderation; resulting; and certification
Free centre registration
We are committed to upholding the integrity of the qualification shown in the quality assurance, processes, policies and procedures of Umalusi.
Where does ABET fit in the National Qualification Framework?
SACAI offers candidates the opportunity to obtain qualifications ranging from Grade 0 up to a National Senior Certificate or a FET Qualification.
SACAI ABET designs, conducts and manages assessments at AET levels 1 – 4. This is equivalent to Grade 0 to Grade 9. Furthermore, Grade 9 is equal to level 1 on the NQF. After obtaining a Grade 10 qualification candidates can then move to the SACAI NSC division to obtain their National Senior Certificate (Grade 12) or move into the Further Education Training (FET) area for College or Training qualifications.
These qualifications afford candidates (mostly adults) who have either not attended school or who have not completed their school education, the opportunity to improve literacy, numeracy, life orientation and other skills. Candidates are empowered through education and the eradication of illiteracy to become contributing members of their communities and society in general.
Meet the SACAI ABET Department Team
SACAI ABET is made up of a team of qualified professionals, each with a specific focus area, who are eager to assist both clients and learners. Take a look below to meet the team and find out who to contact about your different requirements.
Chipo Chibaya
Head of Department: ABET
- Managing the examination cycle and processes
- Quality assurance of exam processes
- Policy adherence
- Assessment placements
- Appointment of exam developers and markers
- Remarks and review of exam scripts
- Exam analysis reports
- Invigilation services
- Workshop bookings and facilitator forums
Nthabiseng Manyaka
Coordinator Registration
- Registration of centres and learners
- Resulting
- Online Invigilator Training Programme registrations
Faizel Mahlangu
Coordinator: Logistics and Certification
- Submission of SBAs/POEs for moderation
- Dispatch and receipt of exam scripts
- Publication and material orders
- Printing of certificates
Busisiwe Sibanda
Assistant ABET
- Client support and centre audits
- SBA verification
- Performance reports
- Marketing and coordination of client forums and workshops
Ntombifuthi Khumalo
Assistant ABET
- Data capturing
- Office administration
Lerato Banda
Receptionist: ABET
- Reception and front desk
- Data capturing
- Office administration
Feedback from our clients
Have a look at what our clients have to say about our work and the results that they are achieving through SACAI ABET:
In collaboration with the Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA) and SACAI, Optimi Workplace recently celebrated the graduation of more than 100 learners in its Adult Education and Training (AET) Programme.
Optimi Workplace is a division in the Optimi Group.
Earlier this year, CHIETA awarded Optimi Workplace a grant to train 100 adult learners with disabilities through Media Works. The Basic Oral Learning Programme ran from 10 May to 29 June 2021 and of the 106 learners who initially signed up, 102 completed the course. These learners secured a 100% competency rate after completing and submitting Basic Oral Summative Assessments to assessment body SACAI.
Learners were allowed to complete the course in either English or Afrikaans and there was no age restriction for participants. These elements contributed to the positive outcomes of the programme. In addition, Optimi Workplace employed members of the community for all required services, from facilitators and venue hire to learner transport and more.
While the AET Programme’s main goal was to equip learners with new skills, it also offered a range of additional benefits for learners, including:
- A boost in self-esteem.
- Reduced isolation behaviours.
- An improvement in interpersonal relationships.
- Increased assertiveness.
- Better co-operation with authority figures.
- Greater responsiveness.
“When I initially met the learners, the majority were shy. Many did not have enough confidence to introduce themselves,” says project manager Rene Taljaard. “By the time they attended the graduation ceremony, the once shy learners had transformed into grateful, confident and proud individuals.”
According to Gerrit Matthyse, CEO of the Orion Organisation (an NPC that offers services to people with disabilities), the learners who participated in the project have developed and grown tremendously.
“This programme has given them a chance to do something they can be proud of, and the joy and confidence they have gained is evident. Parents have also expressed their gratitude, emphasising that participants now show greater independence.”
He adds:
“From an organisational perspective, this project has had a huge impact on the broader community. Amidst a worldwide pandemic and financial crisis that hit persons with disabilities particularly hard, we were able to empower 20 learners through the AET Programme. This, in turn, made 20 vacancies available at our work centre, which enabled us to employ 20 other community members with disabilities.”
Roger Fritz, CEO of the Tygerberg Association for Persons with Physical Disabilities (APD), also expresses his gratitude.
“We are thankful to the Media Works team and CHIETA for this opportunity and we are extremely proud of our learners’ 100% pass rate. Excellent job!”