LEGISLATIVE AND POLICY MANDATES
The Constitution is the supreme law of the Republic and any law or conduct inconsistent with the constitution is invalid; the obligations imposed by the constitution must be fulfilled. All citizens are equally entitled to the rights, privileges and benefits of citizenship and, equally, subject to the duties and responsibilities of citizenship. Section 29(1) of the Constitution states that everyone has a right to a basic education, including adult basic education and further education, which the State, through reasonable measures, must make progressively available and accessible. Sub-section 2 states that everyone has the right to receive education in the official language or languages of their choice in public educational institutions, where that education is reasonably practicable.
The Continuing and Further Education and Training (CET) Act, No 16 of 2016 and as amended, provides for Buffalo City TVET College to operate as a public TVET college under the auspices of the Department of Higher Education and Training. Further sets of legislation that impact on the TVET colleges sector and its strategic and national imperatives are listed below:
- General and Further Education and Training Quality Assurance Act (No 58 of 2001)
- Higher Education (HE) Act (No 101 of 1997)
- National Student Financial Aid Scheme Act (No 56 of 1999)
- National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Act (No 67 of 2008)
- Public Service Regulations (2016)
- Public Finance Management Act (1999)
- Skills Development Act (No 97 of 1998);
- Skills Development Levies Act (No 9 of 1999)
In addition, the White Paper for Post-School Education and Training mandates delivery and strategic priorities in the TVET colleges sector. Other policy mandates include:
- National Norms and Standards for funding TVET Colleges;
- National Trade Testing Regulations
- National Skills Development Plan
- Public TVET College Attendance and Punctuality Policy
- Policy on the Conduct of National Examinations and Assessment
- Workplace Based Learning Programme Agreement Regulations
- SETA Grant Regulations