Nelson Mandela University

Bachelor of Education in Intermediate Phase Teaching

Education, Training and Development - Schooling

Purpose and Rationale

Qualification Overview

Purpose:

This qualification aims to develop graduates as competent, professional teachers to be abled and committed to the enhancement of education in diverse schools in South Africa and beyond. Furthermore this qualification aims to provide teachers with the required knowledge, understanding and skills to enhance teaching and learning in all the Intermediate Phase subjects (Languages, Mathematics, Life Skills, Natural Science and Technology, Arts and Culture, Social Sciences and Economic Management Sciences). The Exit Level Outcomes and the Associated Assessment Criteria are designed to engage with the teacher competencies provided by the Department of Education in the MRTEQ of 2011.

Rationale:

The current challenges in education in South Africa are well documented, as is the poor performance of learners in critical learning areas. The legacy of apartheid education and history still prevails in schools, and this affects educational contexts and the people who participate in it. It is therefore of paramount importance to ensure that future teachers are enabled with the requisite skills, knowledge, values and attitudes to attend fully to the needs of learners, and the overall goals of education, including to help build a better, socially just society in which citizens can live a decent life. South Africa needs teachers who are responsible, accountable and highly motivated to teach their subjects-teachers who are empowered to not only apply theory to and in practice, but to critically reflect on the suitability and appropriateness of specific approaches, strategies and techniques within diverse learning contexts-teachers who can educate the 21st Century Learner.

The outcome of National Reviews of Teacher Education programmes that took place in 2007/8, captured in the Report on the National Review of Academic and Professional Programmes in Education (Soudien & Menon, 2010), highlighted a need for the re-design of the Bachelor of Education in Intermediate Phase Teaching (BEd Intermediate Phase) qualifications. The recommendations from those reviews and this report have informed the new 'Minimum Requirements for Teacher Education Qualifications' (MRTEQ) Policy (2011). These policy recommendations have been taken into account in the re-curriculation of this qualification submitted for accreditation. This qualification will replace the BEd Intermediate Phase Programmes and will aim to address the increasing need for suitably qualified Intermediate Phase teachers who can function and contribute to more effective education in Intermediate Phase as it is evident that the previous qualifications did not fully prepare Teachers for the changing context and demands of education in South Africa in the past, hence the need for a revised curriculum to address these demands and to meet the requirements of the 'Minimum Requirements for Teacher Education Qualifications' (MRTEQ) Policy (2015) is warranted. The primary employer of teachers, the Department of Basic Education, emphasises in their publication, Action Plan to 2014: Towards the Realisation of Schooling 2025 (Department of Basic Education, 2011), the need for new teachers to be nurtured at university level, to enable well qualified young teachers to enter into teaching in the school sector. As such, this qualification will play an important role to realise this need of the Department of Basic Education.

Outcomes

  1. Engage critically with theoretical knowledge related to educational philosophy, sociology, history, psychology, politics and economics from an educational perspective.
  2. Select, organise, design, plan and implement systematic and effective teaching, learning and assessment in different educational context to respond to diverse learner needs.
  3. Coherently integrate educational theory, pedagogical content knowledge and subject discipline knowledge in praxis.
  4. Demonstrate the ability to teach effectively in English and Afrikaans or isiXhosa as Language of Learning and Teaching [LOLT].
  5. Demonstrate conversational competence in Afrikaans and isiXhosa.
  6. Demonstrate the ability to mediate learning through developing numeracy, literacy and information technology skills.
  7. Demonstrate sound subject knowledge in Intermediate phase subjects (Languages, Mathematics, Natural Science and Technology, Social Sciences, Life Skills, Arts and Culture and to a lesser degree Economic Management Sciences).

Assessment Criteria

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

  • Explain, identify, compare, analyse, synthesise, evaluate, and critically reflect on aspects pertaining to knowledge related to the 21st Century learners and their development in social contexts by using a variety of pedagogies.
  • Explain, identify, compare, analyse, synthesise, evaluate, and critically reflect on aspects pertaining to knowledge of teaching for the 21st-century teacher by embracing humanising pedagogies.
  • Explain, identify, compare, analyse, synthesise, evaluate, and critically reflect on aspects pertaining to knowledge of curriculum goals and the education system for the 21st Century School in society by embracing humanising pedagogies.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

  • Select and sequence content effectively.
  • Plan, select, and design appropriate teaching, learning, and assessment strategies in response to learner needs.
  • Communicate effectively to mediate learning.
  • Implement Information and Communications Technology (ICT) for teaching and learning.
  • Reflect critically on effective teaching, learning, and assessment strategies.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

  • Demonstrate the ability to facilitate learning by implementing effective classroom management strategies.
  • Portray a positive and professional work ethic and values related to the teaching profession.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

  • Demonstrate the ability to teach effectively in English and Afrikaans or isiXhosa as Language of Learning and Teaching (LOLT).

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

  • Demonstrate the ability to converse at a conversational level in isiXhosa and Afrikaans.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:

  • Formulate knowledge and practice standards in terms of what and how Languages, Mathematics, Natural Science and Technology, Social Sciences, Life Skills, Arts and Culture should be included and taught within the intermediate phase classroom to improve literacy, numeracy, and life skills.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:

  • Demonstrate sound knowledge and abilities to teach Intermediate phase subjects effectively.

Integrated Assessment:

  • Diagnostic assessment
  • Formative Assessment
  • Summative Assessment
  • Integrated Assessment
  • Evaluative Assessment

A wide range of assessment activities will be employed, including but not limited to assignments, tests, projects, reflections, presentations, case studies, role play, posters, electronically delivered projects, journal writing, lesson planning, group assignments, online assessments, school-based lesson presentations, formal final assessment, and capstone portfolio.

Qualification Details

Type
National First Degree
NQF Level
07
Min. Credits
480
SAQA Source
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Nelson Mandela University
Description
Nelson Mandela University is a comprehensive university located in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. It was established in 2005 through the merger of three institutions, and it is named after the iconic South African leader, Nelson Mandela. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, including arts, sciences, business, engineering, health sciences, and law. It is known for its commitment to social justice, transformation, and community engagement. Nelson Mandela University strives to provide quality education, promote research and innovation, and contribute to the development of the region and the country as a whole.

This page includes information from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) . Builtneat Pty Ltd trading as Study Start, has modified all or some of this information. SAQA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.