Diploma in Public Management

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to empower, upgrade and equip learners with all the necessary skills-sets and knowledge, which will ensure a meaningful contribution to the labour market. In the broadest sense, this learning qualification was predicated upon the primacy of the dire needs evident in the public sector. The qualifying learner will be able to meet the following requirements of the industry:

• To apply the law in context and abide by the Rule of Law.
• To minimise, if not eradicate outright, the corrupt practices still prevalent in society to this day evident in corrupt practices, whether financial, cronyism or related abuse of power.
• To manage, administrate, be accountable and deal with emergencies efficiently and thoroughly.
• To apply the principles of Batho Pele, ensuring even-handed administration, with public policies equally affecting one-and-all.
• To communicate effectively and apply the requisite managerial skills as required by an ever-burgeoning public sector.
• To use/implement fairly within the realm of Human Resources' Management, including recruitment, selection, promotion, and induction training qualifications.
• To conduct Planning, Organising, Staffing, Co-ordination, Development of Work Procedures, Budgeting and ultimately Control which may be above all scrutiny.

The roles and careers in Public management include, but are not limited to the following

• Assistant Public Official.
• Assistant Local Government Official.
• Assistant Personnel Officer.
• Risk Officer.

Rationale

South Africa struggles with high poverty rates, high unemployment rate and a lack of adequate skills. This qualification has a significant role in conferring a significant of personal benefits in terms of personal development, creating job opportunities, and lifetime learning coupled with social well-being and economic prosperity also to address severe obstacles to the competitiveness of government institutions and other industries.

The transformation of public service demands competent, skilled civil servants. Given the background of the country and provinces, in particular, there is a large cohort of the learners and public service professionals who need to be equipped with the necessary knowledge, skills, and techniques to ensure effective and efficient service delivery. This qualification has been designed to address critical skills areas as well as to address serious obstacle to the competitiveness of government institution and other industries in all spheres of government. The qualification may improve employability as it provides learners with a qualification that recognises the knowledge and skills which South African public service required. It thus allows for the development of practical skills, in-service training founded on the latest theory and principles. This Diploma seeks to address an important national issue of employment. It aligns with the national priorities (NDP 2030). The government provides goods and services to the community.

Businesses and private organisations provide these services on a profitable basis; hence, the qualification intends to equip learners with entrepreneurial skills that will contribute to the economic development in general.

This qualification provides learners with experiential learning that equips them with an opportunity to gain experience in a formal work environment as well as on-the-job training. Through experiential learning, learners will be empowered employees and will be able to phase into the work environment with ease.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Prior learning shall be recognised, subject to the requirements of the qualification and as per the institution's policy for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

RPL may be used to demonstrate competence for admission into this qualification. Learners may achieve this qualification in part or credits through Recognition of the Prior Learning processes. The institution can grant learners RPL for credits.

Assessment of evidence of prior learning is through recognised methods.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Senior Certificate, NQF, Level 4.

Or

• National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4, granting access to Diploma studies.

Or

• National Certificate Vocational, NQF Level 4, granting access to Diploma studies.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at Levels 5 and 6, totalling 378 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 128 Credits

• Public Information Service I, 20 Credits.
• Public Resource Management I, 20 Credits.
• Public Service Delivery I, 20 Credits.
• Public Decision Making I, 20 Credits.
• Introduction to Public Administration I, 20 Credits.
• Administrative Management I, 20 Credits.
• Communication Skills I, 8 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 250 Credits

• Public Information Practice II, 20 Credits.
• Public Procurement and Logistics II, 20 Credits.
• Project Management IIA, 10 Credits.
• Project Management IIB, 10 Credits.
• Fundamentals of Research II, 20 Credits.
• Public Financial Management II, 20 Credits.
• Public Human Resource Management II, 20 Credits.
• Management of Information III, 20 Credits.
• Public Financial and Procurement Management III, 20 Credits.
• Public Human Resource Management III, 20 Credits.
• Programme Management III, 20 Credits.
• Policy Studies III, 20 Credits.
• Intergovernmental Relations III, 20 Credits.
• Public Management Practice III, 10 Credits.

1. Implement sound communication principles to ensure effective and efficient institutional.
2. Manage and access sources of revenue to deliver an effective public service and ensure accountability.
3. Implement and maintain performance management systems to achieve predetermined objectives.
4. Formulate policies and develop procedures in order to set clear objectives on administrative and operational level.
5. Manage projects to ensure optimal utilisation of scarce resources.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Achieve effective and efficient institutional management by applying sound communication principles.
• Establish and maintain sound relations with internal and external stakeholders through negotiations.
• Manage information in the correct format for all the relevant parties.
• Apply applicable communication principles to coordinate interpectoral collaboration.
• Maintain and enhance Inter-, intra and extra-governmental relations by applying interpersonal communication skills.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Manage and access sources of revenue according to prescribed guidelines to deliver an active service.
• Manage and locate sources of income according to relevant legislation to ensure accountability.
• Compile budgets according to proper law and financial principles.
• Compile business plans according to policy to meet the objectives of the institutions.
• Implement and improve internal control measures according to applicable/relevant policy.
• Maintain procurement systems according to relevant regulations.
• Follow provisioning administration procedures according to treasury guidelines.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Implement performance management systems according to relevant regulations.
• Manage Human resource responsibilities according to Human Resource.
• Management principles and labour legislation.
• Identify education and training needs and propose the necessary training interventions.
• Implement successive planning steps to facilitate staff development.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Formulate policies according to prescribed principles and guidelines.
• Develop procedures within the regulatory framework.
• Implement strategies according to prescribed guidelines and requirements.
• Implement procedures within the regulatory framework.
• Monitor and evaluate administrative policies according to set objectives.
• Monitor and assess administrative procedures according to set targets.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Manage projects according to the Project Management Principles.
• Manage and utilise Information systems by applying relevant techniques and technology.
• Analyse and proactively recommend internal environmental factors.
• Manage the implementation of policies and procedures using relevant skills and techniques.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment Strategies

Assessment across the qualification forms an integral part of the teaching and learning process. In achieving the learning outcomes, learners are required to comply with the minimum assessments set for the level of the qualification, as per the Institution's Assessment Policy. Assessments vary depending on the module and the outcomes of the module; however, all modules are formatively and summatively assessed. The assessment of theoretical modules is usually in the form of assignments, practical's and written tests or examinations.

Other assessment strategies include Formative assessment, Summative assessment, and balancing formative with summative assessment. Tests, presentations, assignments, projects, case study methods and practical exercises in the case of Public Management are used to evaluate the performance of the learners. At the end of the year, we promote those who have obtained the minimum pass percentage following faculty and institutional guidelines.

Assessment policies, procedures and practices match and support the qualification purpose.

Learners at different delivery sites write and standard examinations time). There are generally two tests during the semester. The lecturers internally moderate the question papers and memorandums. Moderation of the final examinations and memorandums happens before the assessments, but the focus is only on a sample of the exam papers. In the third year, moderation is by externally appointed examiners. Our learner guides specify the minimum requirements for assessment and promotion. Our leaner guides mention the summative assessment requirements that the learner has to satisfy for each course. Some core modules make use of formative assessment and specify conditions that need to be satisfied.