This concise mapping of 12 NQFs provides comparable information on the legal basis, technical-conceptual design, objectives and governance of NQFs.
Resources
NQF Inventory
Snapshots of key features of National and Regional Qualifications Frameworks in Africa: the NQF institutions and main policy and legal documents, RPL policies and practices, national registers of qualifications, the qualifications map and the full overview of level descriptors. An easy-to-use tool of the ACQF for all countries. Help the ACQF project keep the Snapshots up-to-date! Knowledge circulation between African NQFs contributes to mutual understanding, transparency and comparability.
Mapping Study
The ACQF Mapping Study was elaborated in 2020 and is a collection of 13 country reports, 3 regional reports and a comprehensive continental analysis of the state-of-play and main perspectives of qualifications frameworks and systems in Africa. The Mapping study built on data and information collected via the ACQF online survey, technical visits to 10 countries and 3 regions, one consultation webinar and 7 peer learning webinars. The continental report is available in 3 formats: comprehensive, synthesis and a snapshot infographic. In 2021 four country mapping study reports have been updated, to reflect important developments in NQF policies and structures.
State of play and perspectives qualifications frameworks in Africa (2020)
Etat des lieux et perspectives des cadres de certifications en Afrique - rapport de cartographie continental (2020)
Estudo abrangente de mapeamento das características e tendências dos quadros e sistemas de qualificações em África (2020)
Synthesis of the comprehensive ACQF mapping report, focused on the findings of the analysis of NQF and RQF - African cases and experiences (2020).
Síntese do relatório abrangente principal, com enfoque nas principais características e tendências dos quadros e sistemas de qualificações em África (2020)
Synthetic snapshot of the main findings and comparative analysis of the ACQF mapping report (2020)
A Infografia resume as principais observações e conclusões do mapeamento, com enfoque nas experiências Africanas (2020)
State of play and new developments NQF and NQS in Angola (2020)
Situação atual e novos desenvolvimentos Quadro / Sistema Nacional de Qualificações (2020)
Updated and concise report on the national qualifications framework and system of Cape Verde.
State of play and new developments NQF Cape Verde (2020)
Situação e novos desenvolvimentos do quadro nacional / sistema nacional de qualificações (2020)
State of play and developments on the national qualifications system (2020)
Etat des lieux et developpements du système de qualifications / certifications (2020)
Etat des lieux et nouveaux développements du système national de certifications (2020)
State of play and perspectives of the regional qualifications framework SADC (EAQFHE) - 2020
State of play and developments of the regional qualifications framework (2020)
State of play and developments of NQF (2020)
State of play and new developments of Kenya NQF and KNQA.
Policy & Guidelines
Policy and strategic documents developed by the ACQF project. Information on ACQF Advisory Group consultation and other meetings. All major African Union policies and strategies underpinning the ACQF.
10 Guidelines and Training Modules to support countries, regions and AUC implementing the ACQF. Themes of the 10 ACQF Guidelines: learning outcomes approaches, defining NQF levels, referencing between NQFs and ACQF, validation of learning (RPL, credit systems, recognition of qualifications), quality assurance of qualifications, registration and registers of qualifications, monitoring and evaluation of NQFs, communication, innovation and technology in qualifications frameworks. The 10th Guideline will be a companion for all countries in Africa starting their national reflection and roadmaps towards NQFs with a systemic vision.
The ACQF is conceived as a policy and instrument of continental scope to deliver on the objectives of enhanced transparency and comparability of qualifications and mutual trust between qualifications frameworks and systems for lifelong learning in Africa. The ACQF is defined as an overarching reference qualifications framework of ten levels, serving as a translation device between different qualifications frameworks or systems and their levels.
Analytical documents and Articles on ACQF Level descriptors
This report analyses the rationale for the ACQF for the continent, provides a synthesis of the panorama of qualifications and qualifications frameworks in Africa, proposes the three scenarios for ACQF and a plan of outputs until 2025.
Technical and policy dialogue meetings with Advisory Group ACQF and other networks.
Strategic policies of the African Union underpinning the ACQF
Recognition of Prior Learning
People learn anytime, everywhere. Outcomes of prior learning in all contexts of life can be validated, recognised, certified to give people wings to new perspectives and opportunities in education and training, employment, entrepreneurship, better jobs, social inclusion. Across the world, countries and regional communities increasingly recognise the value of non-formal and informal learning and many are establishing systems to acknowledge competencies gained through non-formal and informal modalities. This Report on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) / Validation of Competences gives an overview on RPL, viewed as component of national qualifications systems. Ten examples from African countries presented in this brief show some diversity in terms of scope, and design of RPL / Validation systems, but also several common traits: Angola, Cape Verde, Kenya, Lesotho, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, and Zambia.
People learn anytime, everywhere. Outcomes of prior learning in all contexts of life can be validated, recognised, certified to give people wings to new perspectives and opportunities in education and training, employment, entrepreneurship, better jobs. Across the world, countries and regional communities increasingly recognise the value of non-formal and informal learning and many are establishing systems to acknowledge competencies gained through non-formal and informal modalities. This brief report on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) / Validation of Competences gives an overview on RPL, viewed as component of national qualifications systems. Ten examples from African countries presented in this brief show some diversity in terms of scope, and design of RPL / Validation systems, but also several common traits: Angola, Cape Verde, Kenya, Lesotho, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, and Zambia.
ACQF Research
ACQF Research in new related areas: school curriculum, NQF networks, AfCFTA-ACQF Links and other themes. Reports in development.
School Curriculum Mapping
The AU CESA Cluster "Curriculum" and African Curriculum Association (ACA) took the initiative to map school curriculum in Africa. ACQF project supports the initiative, providing the technical expertise for the analysis and organisation of stakeholders dialogue. Launch webinar took place on 04/05/2021, gathered approx. 70 participants from a wide range of countries. The final report is planned for October 2021.
Comprehensive elaboration of the context, objectives, research questions and approach for the School Curriculum mapping study.
Aperçu detaillé sur l'étude de cartographie sur les programmes scolaires en Afrique (contexte, objectifs, methodologie, questions de recherche).
Abordagem detalhada sobre o estudo sobre curriculo escolar em Africa: contexto, objectivos, metodologia, questões de pesquisa
Studies
How do ACQF and the African Continental Free Trade Area connect? How can the ACQF contribute to better comparability and quality of qualifications relevant for the priority sectors of the AfCFTA? The study will provide answers to these and other essential questions, contributing to the ACQF Policy and Technical document.
There are currently no items in this folder.
Other Studies
ACQF governance options: exploring the options for a network of African NQF institutions. This study will follow the initial proposal discussed at ACQF Advisory Group-3 meeting.
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Library
References to guide your discovery: A selection of publications on relevant themes and discussions related with qualifications management and systems from different recognised international sources - Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Cedefop, European Training Foundation (ETF), European Union, UNESCO and national qualifications authorities. All sources acknowledged.
A selection of essential publications on topics and issues closely related with qualifications frameworks and systems. All sources acknowledged.