The Bachelor of Education in Senior Phase and Further Education and Training degree (B Ed SP & FET) has the primary purpose of providing a well- rounded education that equips graduates with the required subject content knowledge base, educational theory, and methodology that will enable them to demonstrate competence and responsibility as academically and professionally qualified beginner teachers. Principles and theory are emphasised as a basis for entry into a professional teaching career. The learning programme must, as a minimum requirement, lead to the development of all the beginner teacher competences.

The degree is intended to develop qualified classroom teachers who can demonstrate focused knowledge and skills in Senior and Further Education and Training Phases teaching.

The degree requires a specific depth of, and specialisation in knowledge, together with practical skills and workplace experience, to enable successful students to enter into teaching and apply their learning as beginner teachers in schools in varying contexts.  The programme will enable graduates to demonstrate initiative and responsibility in an academic and professional teaching environment.

Additionally, the degree requires intellectual independence and the development of research competence at an introductory level in the field of education, specifically teaching and learning, in order to provide a basis for postgraduate studies in the field of education or in a sub-field of education, as well as for further professional development as a teacher. (Government Gazette, 19 February, 2015, p. 28).

A National Senior Certificate (NSC), with Bachelor’s degree endorsement with at least 60% in English, 50% IsiXhosa and Life Orientation.  A minimum rating of 5 (60 – 69%) for English which is the language of learning and teaching at WSU. A pass in the remaining three school subjects.

Teaching and learning strategy  

The teaching will be offered both online and face-to-face teaching depending on the context. The face-to-face delivery mode is supported by additional strategies such as E-Learning (use of learning management platforms such as “Moodle”, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, etc), library services (including e-books and on-line journals), and experiential learning (school-based experience). Students will be trained on the use of Moodle by CLTD staff.  Staff members will make their own study guides based on course outlines and other learning and teaching materials like PowerPoint lesson presentations and handouts. These guides will follow the Student Module Guide (SMGs) template made by the Directorate for Learning and Teaching (DLT).

The teaching and learning strategy of the BEd (SP & FET Teaching) will follow a constructivist and enquiry-based perspectives and employs work-integrated and applied learning, where students construct their own knowledge and practically apply knowledge acquired and constructed into their teaching practice. Knowledge, reflection, connection, synthesis, research, theory and practice, are promoted. In addition, students are prepared for the South African context. Throughout this programme students will be exposed to national school policies and curriculum relevant to South Africa.

Assessment strategy

Assessment of all undergraduate programmes shall take place on a continuous basis throughout the course of each module/course culminating in a written or oral examination at the end of each semester/academic year. Weighting shall be in the ratio of 50%, continuous assessment to 50% written or oral examination. The overall aggregate pass mark shall be 50%.  A student with an overall mark of between 40% and 49% subject to a minimum mark of 40% for both continuous assessment and final examination qualifies for a supplementary examination.  

Each semester module will have the minimum of TWO assessment tasks (Project/Assignment/ Class test/Presentation/Investigation, etc) and ONE examination.

Year-long modules will have the minimum of FOUR assessment tasks (Project/Assignment/ Class test/Presentation/Investigation, etc) and ONE examination.

Formative Assessment:  written and oral tests, assignments, simulations, role play, case studies, presentations, micro-teaching, evaluations of School Based Experience (SBE).

Summative assessment: written final examinations; SBE is assessed through continuous evaluation.

Progression Rules 

A student must register for courses/modules worth a minimum of 120 and a maximum of 128 credits each year. To proceed to the next level of study a student must pass two-third of the registered modules in the year preceding the progression year and meet the prerequisites of the courses he/she intends to register. If the student failed to meet requirements as per the rules of progression, Rule G7 will apply.

RPL and Credit Transfer

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) is the identification, assessment and acknowledgement of an individual's skills and knowledge within the context of a specific qualification, irrespective of how and where they have been acquired. It is the acknowledgement of skills, competencies, knowledge and work ethos obtained through informal training, on- the- job experience and life experience when measured against specific learning outcomes.

There are two main forms of RPL, that reflect the different purposes and processes within which RPL takes place:

• RPL for access: To provide an alternative access route into a programme of learning, professional designation, employment and career progression; and
• RPL for credit: To provide for the awarding of credits for, or towards, a qualification or part-qualification registered on the NQF.

A maximum of 50% of the credits of a completed qualification may be transferred to another qualification, provided also that no more than 50% of the credits required for the other qualification are credits that have been used for a completed qualification. 

Articulation rules

Horizontal Articulation

A student who wishes to move to a relevant Bachelor of Education Degree or any other similar programme will be able to carry the modules/courses completed from the Study of Education and its Foundations, Fundamental learning and Research competence. Similar Modules/courses completed at other institutions will be recognized as contributing to this programme. Horizontal articulation does not necessarily apply to years completed, given the different programme structures (credit values and content differences) between programmes in various institutions. Credit Accumulation and Transfer will be allowed after assessing what the student may carry from one programme to another.

·         Advanced Diploma in Education [Adv Dip (Ed)], developing a new role to support teaching and learning (level 7)

·         Bachelor of Education in Foundation Phase Teaching(BEd Foundation Phase) : NQF Level 7.

Advanced Certificate in Teaching [Adv Cert (Teaching)], developing a new teaching specialisation phase or subject (level 6)

Vertical Articulation

The B Ed (SP & FET) will serve as vertical articulation route for the students who wish to do:

·         Post Graduate Diploma in Education [(PG Dip (Ed)], specialising further in a cognate course, phase, or practice contained in the initial qualification

·         Advanced Diploma in Education [Adv Dip (Ed)], developing a new role to support teaching and learning

·         Advanced Certificate in Teaching [Adv Cert (Teaching)], developing a new teaching specialisation phase or course

Bachelor of Education Honours (BEd Hons)

Exclusion Rules

To be readmitted in the following year, whether to the same level or to the next level of study, a student must have met the following minimum requirements:
a) The student must attain the minimum credit requirements as stipulated in the table below; and
b) Where applicable, the student must be on track to attain in the required time the exit level courses (e.g. major subjects) necessary for obtaining the qualification.

Four-year Programme (Total credits: 480)

Grounds for Academic Exclusion:
A student who fails to attain the minimum credit requirements at the end of any year of study as stipulated in all the tables above and / or, where applicable, is not on track to attain in the required time the exit-level courses (e.g major subjects) necessary for obtaining the qualification, will be excluded.

Exclusion Period
A student who has been excluded on academic grounds shall not be reconsidered for readmission within a period of three (3) years after exclusion; provided that where a student, with the permission of the Dean and/ or Senate, has registered elsewhere and obtained the outstanding course(s) or module(s), in which event the student may be readmitted within the 3-year period to enable him/ her to graduate.

Any other information

An attendance of at least 80% in all lectures (theory and practical) is compulsory for all students in undergraduate and postgraduate programmes where applicable. A student with an attendance of less than 80% is not eligible to write any examination in that subject. An attendance register must be signed by the student during the first part of the lecture. This register will either be distributed by the lecturer or by the tutor(s) or demonstrator(s).

A student will be de-registered if: The student was registered without meeting all the minimum admission requirements.

            The student was registered through human error.

            The student was registered through fraudulent means.

            The student fails to submit any outstanding document after registration.

A student who cancels all registered subjects/modules is automatically deregistered with immediate effect.