Diploma in Public Management

Purpose

The purpose of the revised Diploma in Public Management is to develop graduates who can demonstrate focused knowledge, skills and techniques in public management to promote effective and efficient service delivery in the public sector. The purpose of the Diploma is to develop graduates who can demonstrate focused knowledge and skills in public management. The qualifying learner will be able to apply the relevant management functions, skills and techniques to promote effective and efficient service delivery in the public sector.

Rationale

This qualification is consonant with the Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework (HEQSFs) purpose and characteristics of a Diploma in the sense that this qualification has a vocational orientation, which includes career and industry specific knowledge. It allows for a sound understanding of general theoretical principles in public management as well as a combination of general public management functions and specific procedures, legislative requirements and application thereof.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The qualification will also be awarded to a learner who has provided evidence that the stated competence of the qualification which complies with the stated specified outcomes has been achieved through experience. It is the policy of Central University of Technology (CUT) to facilitate access to public higher education, especially to the people who were previously disadvantaged in terms of access to public higher education, by recognizing prior earning achievements of individuals irrespective of how their learning achievements were acquired. In this commitment CUT records that its policy aim is not intended to accredit but to give due Recognition of Prior Learning achievements in determining access. It is the policy that aspirant students, who wish to become students of the Learning Programme through RPL, must present themselves together with credible evidence of learning achievements. It is also the aim to ensure that both the RPL process and outcomes, as an assessment procedure, be guided by the salient aspects of Quality Assurance that will be assured by the RPL committee of the Faculty of Management Sciences. A critical prerequisite for maintaining acceptable procedures would be the following: Prior learning assessments can only be made against clearly formulated learning outcomes and modules prescribed by the curriculum for this qualification. RPL Application procedure is the following:

• Prospective student completes the prescribed RPL form obtainable from Assessment and Graduation Services (AGS) of CUT.
• The completed and signed form is submitted to the AGS.
• This form is channelled to the relevant Head of Department (HODs) office.
• The relevant HOD as chairperson in conjunction with experts in the field for which recognition of prior learning is requested assesses the application.
• They then make their findings on a fit for purpose special form dully signed by all members of the departmental RPL committee.
• The relevant HOD meets with the Chairperson of the Faculty RPL Committee to peruse the completeness of documentation and recommendation from the Departmental RPL committee.
• When the chairperson is satisfied with the documentation, he/she signs the fit for purpose form.
• The signed recommendation is then presented to EXCO for discussion and approval which all members must sign.
• EXCOs decision is then sent to AGS for implementation.
• Implementation involves AGS sending a letter to the applicant.
• An applicant can appeal against an EXCO decision.
• And A successful RPL applicant can now apply for the specific program for which RPL was sought and nothing else.

Entry Requirements

The minimum requirement for admission to a Diploma is

• A National Senior Certificate.

Or

• A Similar qualification.

This qualification comprises of compulsory modules at Level 5 and 6 totalling 384 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 104 Credits

• Local Government Service Delivery Management I, 16 Credits.
• Self-Management I, 16 Credits.
• Office Management and Customer Service I, 16 Credits.
• Public Resource Management I, 16 Credits.
• Academic Literacy and Communication Studies, 12 Credits.
• Digital Literacy, 6 Credits.
• Numeracy, 6 Credits.
• Public Decision-Making I, 16 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 280 Credits

• Public Administration and Management II, 18 Credits.
• Public Financial Management II, 18 Credits.
• Intersectoral Collaboration II, 18 Credits.
• Procurement and Supply Chain Management II, 18 Credits.
• Public Human Resource Management II, 18 Credits.
• Public Human Resource Management III, 24 Credits.
• Public Administration and Management III, 24 Credits.
• Policy Studies III, 24 Credits.
• Programme Management III, 24 Credits.
• Public Management Practices and Work Integrated Learning III, 52 Credits.
• Financial and Procurement Management III, 24 Credits.

1. Demonstrate competence in using basic administrative and managerial skills.
2. Apply the relevant management functions, skills and techniques to ensure effective and efficient service delivery in the public sector environment.
3. Developed a sound foundation for progression into any public administration and managerial position in any government institution or municipality.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be assessed in an integrated manner across Exit Level Outcomes

• Apply communication skills to ensure effective management in the public sector.
• Apply public financial management, and supply chain and procurement management skills according to relevant legislation and regulations to ensure accountability.
• Manage human resources and systems to ensure effective and efficient service delivery.
• Execute public policy and procedures according to relevant legislation and regulations.
• Apply public project and programme management skills to ensure effective management of programmes in the public sector.
• Apply public administrative and management functions, skills and techniques to achieve institutional objectives.

Integrated Assessment

The methods of assessment include the following

• Tests and examinations (All levels).
• Written assignments (All levels).
• Case studies (second and year).
• Literature studies (All levels).
• Projects and reports (Third year).
• Oral group discussions (All levels).
• Simulation and role play (Second and third year).
• Film/video evaluations and presentations (Second and third year).
• Practical assessment (All levels).
• Work-based learning (All levels).
• Assessment of research (Final year).

Formative assessments take place in either an informal or a formal manner. Informal formative assessments take place by facilitators to monitor the teaching/learning process. Formal formative assessments take place during the learning process. Learners have to demonstrate that they have attained outcomes being assessed. Results are recorded for each formal formative assessment and each assessment which takes place will contribute towards the course mark of an Assessment learner. Summative assessments have a primary purpose to uphold and enforce the academic standards of the programme. Summative assessments usually occur at the end of a semester or year at CUT. The results of the progress mark (60%) and examination (40%) will determine whether a learner has achieved competence with regard to a specific exit level outcome. Learners write examinations in theory subjects, while some practical subjects are evaluated on a continuous basis. A balance between knowledge, insight, application, resourcefulness and behaviour is maintained. The assessment covers the syllabus and the correct weight should be attached to the important parts of the syllabus. The examiner and moderator have to agree in writing on the content of an assessment. Assessment dates in the year planner are scheduled in such a way that the students benefit from the feedback before the next assessment.