One of the best things to do in your attempt to become a well equipped teacher in a country like South Africa is to study at a university like Unisa. You can sign up for the B.Ed. Foundation Phase degree for instance, and, aside the wealth of knowledge, still get a certificate after the completion of the programme.
The amazing thing about this programme is that you can wrap it up in less than four years, plus you can even decide to opt for part time study. However, it should be added that before you can be admitted to study the programme at the University of South Africa, you should first fulfill certain crucial requirements.
UNISA Foundation Phase Teaching Diploma Requirements
Getting admitted to the University of South Africa has a whole lot to do with fulfilling the specific admission requirements for one’s chosen qualification. These are already laid down requirements the Management of the Institution has agreed on. The applicant must have completed these requirements before they can apply to study their particular course:
1. To have a National Senior Certificate (NSC) (Degree endorsement) with at least 50% in the language of teaching and learning as well as 40% in Mathematics or 50% in Mathematical Literacy. They should have an APS/AS of 23
Alternatively:
Should have a Senior Certificate (SC) with matriculation exemption. On the other hand, they should qualify for the exemption from the Matriculation Board with at least a D symbol on HG or a C symbol on SG in the language of teaching and learning as well as an F symbol on HG or an E symbol on SG in Mathematics. The applicant must have an APS/AS that is 23
Alternatively:
Should have a National Certificate Vocational (NCV) level 4 with at least 60% in three fundamental subjects including the language of teaching and learning. 70% in four vocational subjects chosen from the NCV level 4 subjects.
So, basically, the University of South Africa offers three forms of their Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree as the basic teaching qualification that will equipped interested applicants to become a professional teacher. They include:
1. BEd in Foundation Phase Teaching (Grade R-Grade 3)
2. BEd in Intermediate Phase Teaching (Grades 4-7)
3. BEd in Senior Phase and Further Education and Training Teaching (Grades 7-12).
The general admission requirements can only be slightly different based on the post-school qualification the applicant has.
UNISA Foundation Phase Teaching Higher Certificate
Anyone that couldn’t fulfill these laid down requirements can simply apply for a Higher Certificate in Education. This can easily be done as far as they meet the statutory and additional requirements. Therefore, interested applicants don’t have to be discouraged if they were not able to meet the requirements for the Qualification. They can simply decide to apply at the University of South Africa for the HIGHER CERTIFICATE in EDUCATION.
UNISA Foundation Phase Teaching Diploma Application
Application is done online on the portal Unisa already made for the purpose. It should be noted that there is only one application period per year, and it usually open on the 15th August. If you should apply now and you are successful, you will resume the following academic year.
At this point, we should make some clarifications. It is well known that Unisa is in partnership with some institutions to offer this programme. That is, while you can attend those institutions for the trainings, you will eventually get a certificate from the university of South Africa upon completion of the programme. However, it should be added here that if that is what you are doing, you must first apply for admission at UNISA before anything else.
The point is, while you will be attending classes at the structures of those institutions, the most important thing is that you are granted admission by the University of South Africa, hence they can’t give you a certificate at the end of the programme.
After Applying At UNISA
What then happens after you have successfully submitted your application at the University of South Africa?
First, the institution already have an effective structure in place to attend to their tons of aspirants accordingly. They simply have each application assessed accordingly, and will see to it that the points score system is well addressed.
The next thing thing to do is to give qualified students a spot to study, as far as they were able to meet the academic admission requirements for their qualification of choice. Also, crucial factors that determines if or not the student will be admitted is their minimum points score, which they should appropriately meet up to the expected standard. Additionally, the number of spots available for the particular program per year is another deciding factor.
Perhaps you are thinking you will be automatically admitted once you have fulfilled all of those requirements. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work that way. This is because, even if you were able to meet the above requirements, the number of spots available will still be a deciding factor.
We should also add that the institution will message everyone as touching the outcome of their application. For those that will find success, they are expected to either accept or decline the offer within the prescribed period of time. Successful applicants who accepted the institution’s offer are expected to register for the period for which they have been granted admission.
After getting into the system, you will come in contact with the programme structure, and you can then benefit from the several modules you will undergo. You will study things like:
– Being a Professional Teacher
– Computer Integration in the classroom
– Emergent Mathematics
– Emergent Literacy
– TPF2601 – Teaching practice for Foundation Phase I
– Child development (birth to 9)
– Children’s Literature
– Life Skills: Social and Personal Development in Foundation Phase
– Life Skills: Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Music & Physical Education in Foundation Phase
– Philosophy of Education
– South African Education System
– English
– Mathematics for Foundation Phase Teachers
– Curriculum Studies
– History of Education in Foundation Phase
– Home language Teaching
– Inclusive education in Foundation Phase
– Inclusive Education
– Instructional studies
– Resource Development in Foundation Phase
– Assessment in Education
– Environmental Education
– First Additional Language Teaching in the Foundation Phase
– Foundation Phase Mathematics
– Foundation Phase Teaching
– Life Skills: Science and Technology in Foundation Phase
– Management in Foundation Phase
– Afrikaans
As you should see already, these things will get you properly equipped to operate at a great level as a teacher in the country, and you will be an excellent one in your field. We should not forget the fact that you are going to be trained by competent teachers too, which is greatly of big advantage to you.
Finally, when you are done studying, you can work as:
A. Foundation Phase Educator (Grade R – Grade 3 teacher)
B. ECD lecturer
C. Youth worker
D. Community-based and Non-Profit Organisation
F. Educational Institution – Public Schools, Private Schools, TVET Colleges, etc.
In Conclusion
These UNISA foundation phase teaching diploma requirements are binding on all applicants, and you must fulfill them to increase your chances of getting into the institution for this qualification.