Higher Certificate in Education Assistance

The Higher Certificate in Education Assistance serves a dual purpose. Firstly, it aims to equip graduates with essential knowledge and practical skills required to function effectively as Education Assistants in diverse school contexts. Students will develop basic academic literacy and ICT competence, gain introductory knowledge of Basic Education in South Africa, as well as basic knowledge of education assistance and practical skills that may be applied to support teachers in the South African classroom.

Graduates will be able to support teachers in preparing the classroom, preparing teaching materials, help with administrative tasks, offer support to learners, maintain discipline, and support a clean and safe learning environment. The programme speaks directly to the needs of the sector and responds directly to the Department of Basic Education’s initiative to create employment opportunities for young South Africans while simultaneously addressing the challenges faced by teachers in overcrowded classrooms. It aims to produce skilled Education Assistants that could alleviate the administrative burden of teachers in overcrowded classrooms, promote discipline, and maintain a safe and secure learning environment.

The programme includes a practical module that serves to develop skills relevant to the role as Education Assistant in a school classroom. It provides for simulated work experience where students will engage in case-based scenarios to observe and demonstrate skills relevant to the role as Education Assistant. The qualification does not include Work integrated learning (WIL) that requires students to spend time in the classroom (under supervision) to acquire credits. 

Secondly, the qualification functions as an access pathway into formal higher education, particularly for students who have completed Grade 12 but do not meet the minimum requirements for bachelor’s degree programmes. By providing foundational academic literacy, numeracy, and computer skills and subject-specific knowledge, the programme prepares graduates for further study in cognate qualifications such as the Bachelor of Education. Delivered through the distance learning mode, the qualification accommodates working adults who require flexible study options.

FURTHER STUDY OPPORTUNITIES

Graduates who meet the minimum entry requirements may articulate vertically by presenting this qualification for admission to the following:

• an appropriate Advanced Certificate (NQF exit level 6),

• an appropriate Diploma (NQF exit level 6),

• an appropriate Bachelor’s degree (NQF exit level 7).

Graduates may also articulate horizontally by presenting this qualification for admission to the following:

• an appropriate Higher Certificate (NQF exit level 5).

What is Distance Learning?

THE ADMISSION CRITERIA FOR THE HIGHER CERTIFICATE IN EDUCATION ASSISTANCE ARE:

• a Senior Certificate (SC); OR

• a National Senior Certificate (NSC), with a minimum of 40% in three modules including a Home Language, and a minimum of 30% in three other modules; OR

• a National Senior Certificate – Vocational Level 4 (NC(V)), 

with 

• a minimum of 40% in English Home Language or in English First Additional Language.

To find out more about alternate access routes at STADIO, please click HERE

After successful completion of the Higher Certificate in Education Assistance students will be able to: 

1. arrange the classroom for teaching and learning activities, prepare teaching materials and test related equipment and tools are available and ready for use. 

2. use and integrate ICT to support learning in the classroom, as well as use hardware and software in assisting teachers with general administrative activities. 

3. offer support to school learners with their educational and social development needs by assisting them to complete complicated task and guiding them when experiencing difficulty. 

4. provide support to teachers in managing and maintaining class discipline and behaviour by using specific strategies as instructed by the teacher. 

5. support teachers and motivate/mentor school learners to improve the classroom environment and address learners’ needs by improving standards through the creation of a safe, secure, clean, and healthy environment. 

6. exhibit informed knowledge and understanding of education in context, its basic policies, ethical- and professional codes of conduct, and what it means to be an Education Assistant within the South African context. 

7. participate meaningfully in an academic context and apply knowledge and skills confidently while engaging with academic texts and working with numbers.