Community colleges

The target audience to register at the community colleges is people over the age of 18, who never attempted to go to school, or left school in primary or secondary phase and those who attempted grade 12 and did not succeed. They also assist those who wish to improve their chances for entry into higher education and even working adults who wish to get matric.

The opportunities that are available at the community colleges include:

• The Amended Senior Certificate: which is equivalent to matric and is considered as matric for adult learners
• The General Education and Training Certificate for Adults (GETC) from AET level 4
• Literacy for those who don’t know how to read and write
• Adult Basic Education for those who want to complete their primary level schooling

The requirements to study at the community colleges vary; depending on the programmes and what one wants to achieve at the college.

The requirements for the Amended Senior Certificate are as follows:

• Adult learner who is 21 years and older who has one of the following:

  • A General Education and Training Certificate (GETC); or
  • A Grade 9 school report (or the old standard seven), stating that they have passed Grade 9 or Standard 7; or
  • A recognised equivalent qualification obtained at NQF Level 1 which requires two official languages.

• Adult learners who are 21 years and older, who have passed some subjects for a Senior Certificate or a National Senior Certificate (NSC), who:

  • Need to complete a Senior Certificate qualification/ matric
  • Have an incomplete NSC, and whose School- Based Assessment (SBA) validity has expired;
  • Candidates who did NSC in 2009, 2010 may apply to register

• In exceptional cases; out of school youth, who are 18 - 20 years old and could not complete their school education due to circumstances beyond their control; can apply to the Head of Education in the Provincial Offices to write the exams if they have the following:

  • A General Education and Training Certificate (GETC); or
  • A Grade 9 school report (or the old standard seven), stating that they have passed Grade 9 or Standard 7; or
  • A recognised equivalent qualification obtained at NQF Level which requires two official languages.

They may register at any provincial education office which includes:

• the provincial head office
• the district office
• Or a circuit office.

Candidates need to write six subjects and pass at least five subjects to qualify for a Senior Certificate. It is important to note that candidates for the Senior Certificate for adults will write their exams in June - July each year.

The requirements for the General Education and Training Certificate for Adults (GETC) are as follows:

• Adult learners who are above 18 years and older who have attempted or never attempted schooling at all can be accommodated in exceptional cases even learners who dropped out of.

 

For more information contact:

The Branch Coordinator for Community Education and Training Colleges: Esther Kodisang on 012 312 4563/6018

The Acting Deputy Director General for Community Education and Training Colleges: Dr EB Mahlobo on 012 312 5398