Civic Education & Soft Skills

A first of its kind designed by HIGHER HEALTH for University, TVET and CET students, staff, and community support services, student leaders, peer educators and service providers on support structures who interact directly with young students.

Introduction

The unique National HIGHER HEALTH Civic Education and Soft Skills Programme was developed in South Africa by HIGHER HEALTH, an agency of the Department of Higher Education Training.

The programme’s co-curriculum is designed to address the many personal and social challenges facing youth – and the world – today. Modules cover issues related to civic engagement; peer education; gender diversity and equality; mental health; disability; communicable diseases; alcohol dependence and substance abuse. The co-curriculum is conducted independently of the academic curriculum.

85%

of job success comes from Soft Skills.

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Building the Nation

All young people who take the curriculum will, for the first time in Africa, have a recognised qualification to affirm their readiness to play a role in improving their communities and building their nation, in addition to their academic qualifications, which gives them the skills for fulfilling work.
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First of its Kind

This is the first civic education course in Africa which has been designed to build good citizenship and graduate attributes to complement hard skills. It is also the first curriculum to be presented in all 11 languages and in sign language, which makes it accessible to all South Africans. The curriculum includes mandatory community service where youth engage with communities to address pertinent social issues.
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NQF Level 5 Accreditation

After a rigorous review process, the National HIGHER HEALTH Civic Education and Soft Skills Programme has been accredited at NQF Level 5, making it the first civic education programme to achieve this level of recognition throughout Africa.

Co-Curriculum Modules

The programme is based on the modules constituting the Co-Curriculum but adds substantial new content on civic responsibility and leadership.

  • Any student registered at a PSET institution is eligible to enrol in the programme.
  • The programme is delivered on a digital platform that can be accessed through various devices including mobile phones.
  • Each of the six modules has a major practical element.
  • Participants may fulfil their practical requirements by volunteering as peer educators on their campuses and in their communities.
  • It is embedded in a well-established health programme that has roots in every public university, TVET college and all provincial CET colleges.
  • It runs alongside the academic, professional or vocational course that the student is enrolled in and does not interfere with that course.
  • It builds complementary “soft skills” and resilience that help students thrive on campus and enhance their readiness for work at the end of their degree or diploma.
  • It promotes civic values that are compatible with the transformation strategies of many PSET institutions and may help address social issues that emerges from time to time on some campuses.
  • Students leave with a nationally accredited certificate in return for their service to the campus or community, an asset that may give them the edge in a difficult job market.
  • A formal, practice-based civics course is a relevant response to the national debate on how to strengthen democracy and public sector accountability.

Participation

About the Curriculum

  • Self-paced online programme
  • NQF Level 5 credit bearing skills programme
  • 30 Credits
  • 300 Notional hours, of which a minimum of 90 are on line.
  • 6 Modules

HOW DO I PARTICIPATE?
To participate, you’ll need:

  1. To be a registered student, lecturer, or staff member at any PSET institution.
  2. To have a working email address.
  3. To be able to access the internet.

 

Support

SUPPORT
Throughout your journey with us, there is continued support. There are

  1. Bi-monthly check-in sessions
  2. Monthly focus groups
  3. Regular communication from your programme lead.

Coverage

WHAT IS COVERED
The curriculum covers 6 modules:

  1. Civic education and peer education
  2. Gender-basedviolence, and sexual and gender diversity & Oppose gender-based violence and respect sexual and gender diversity
  3. Mental Health
  4. Disability
  5. Communicable diseases
  6. Alcohol and substance abuse

FAQ

WHAT DO I GET FROM THIS?
You will receive a certificate of participation for completing each of the six modules. After you have passed six modules, you will be able to write the final examination and receive an NQF Level 5 certificate.

DO I HAVE TO PAY?
Currently, participants are sponsored, so there is no payment necessary. At a later stage, the programme will be public, and the fee structure will be made available.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I FAIL?
You are unlikely to fail this programme. You receive multiple attempts for most assessments and receive your marks back instantly after submission.

Login Today

Welcome to the Civic and Soft Skills Programme online registration section. Soon, participants will be able to register for the programme here. Stay tuned for further updates.