//KHARA HAIS MUNICIPALITY
|
//KHARA HAIS MUNICIPALITY
|
|
|
Training and Practice of Environmental Health Practitioners in South Africa
Engelbrecht JC Head of Department: Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Technikon Pretoria, Private Bag X680, PRETORIA. SOUTH AFRICA. Tel: +27 12 3185282 Fax: +27 12 3185262 E mail: engelbk@techpta.ac.za
INTRODUCTION South Africa underwent a political change since the new government came into power in 1994. The political changes also changed the environmental health field hence the environmental issues are part of the community. Due to this changes environmental health training is also in the process of transformation to be effective to re-address the legacies of the past as well as to render an effective environmental health service to the communities and industries we serve. The guidelines and principles to ensure this transformation of environmental health service are part of the health policy of the National Ministry of Health. Clearly stipulated in this policy ire the necessary steps to be implemented. The focus in the past overbalanced the issue of urban sanitation and the rendering of environmental health services to a small proportion of the population in South Africa. The majority of the people, living in under serviced communities were not adequately serviced and in the majority of cases there was a lack of even basic environmental health facilities like clean potable drinking water and basic sanitation facilities.
To refocus the environmental health services in South Africa, urgent attention needs to be given to the transformation of environmental health training. This will be addressed later in the paper.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH TRAINING MODEL
PAST Environmental health training started way back in the 1940’s, after the 2nd World War when students took the UK Royal Sanitary Institute (RSI) qualification that qualified them as a sanitary inspector. A three-year diploma was introduced in the early 1960 and presented by a number of Technical Colleges in South Africa. These colleges under supervision of the National Ministry of Education took down examinations. Two Universities also presented a B Sc degree (Public Hygiene) but this program was terminated due to poor demand.
Progress was made during 1977 due the fact that the training institutions presenting environmental training programs were upgraded to a higher status of Technikons (Technological institutions) and given a clear mission from government to focus on career based education with emphasis on the transfer of technology. A higher diploma was approved in 1981 that gave the environmental health officer (EHO) an opportunity to major in specialised areas within the environmental health field.
Some universities also introduced postgraduate training in environmental health up to honors level. Students with the National Higher Diplomas were given status on certain conditions to enroll for these university programs. Some universities also present MPH programs where environmental health officers can slot. A historic moment was the approval from government in 1993 to present degree programs at Technikons. For the first time EHO’s were in a position to graduate with technological degrees up to doctorate level.
PRESENT Presently there are ten approved Technikons presenting National Diplomas in environmental health. To be in a position to present the basic three year full time diploma as well as other national training programs a training institution needs to be accredited by a statutory body (Certification Council for Technikon Education) SERTEC as well as the South African Health Professions Council (Professional Board for Environmental Health Officers), a body where all EHO’s that practice as environmental health officers need to register professionally. Annually an average of 250 EHO’s graduate from these Technikons with basic diplomas. Apart from diploma programs some of these institutions also present bachelors, masters’ and doctorate programs in technology in environmental health.
The programs are structured in such a way that a student can graduate with a diploma after three years of full time study. By following a program of another one year full time the student can graduate with a Bachelors in Technology (B Tech: Environmental Health). Postgraduate studies from masters to doctorate levels can follow that entails full time research in areas of specialisation in environmental health. The basic diploma can be summarised as in Figure 1. As can be seen from figure one a strong science foundation (Chemistry and physics, Microbiology, Anatomy and Physiology and Computer sciences) form the basis of the diploma program. The environmental health pillars of the program constitutes the following areas: Ÿ Occupational health and -safety Ÿ Food and meat security Ÿ Environmental pollution (air, water and land) Ÿ Epidemiology Ÿ Community development To position the EHO to manage above within an environmental health context a program in management practice is presented. This enables an EHO not only to manage in the public sector but also to be able to manage and implement strategies in private industry.
In the Bachelors of Technology program the aim is to enable the EHO to major in specific distinct and relevant areas within the environmental health field. Areas of specialisation are the following: § Occupational health and -safety § Food hygiene § Meat hygiene § Air pollution § Water quality management § Environmental epidemiology § Waste management
The following areas are to be included in the near future due to industry demand: § Environmental Management § Community development
Students are also equipped with basic research skills (statistical analysis and methodology) as well as advanced management practice skills within the B Tech degree year. It is also important to note that the B Tech builds onto the diploma program and is rated internationally as a four-year professional degree in the technology. The masters’ and doctorate degrees are full time research projects (projects approved by the respective Senates of the Technikons).
The Technikon programs are seen as dynamic programs that must be periodically be reviewed by the employers. Advisory committees are implemented by each Technikon that monitors the programs to ensure that it still meets the demands from industry and that the latest technology is transferred to students. On a national basis an annual meeting between the training institutions, the Professional Board, the Ministry of Health and the Institute for Environmental Health is held where curriculum development and other training issues are discussed and changes to existing curriculum approved to be implemented by the respective training institutions.
FUTURE As mentioned in the introduction there is a need to transform the environmental health training in South Africa from a previous focus on urban issues to a more community based approached. The environmental health officers were in the past used as law enforcer and will now have to be employed as community facilitators. The issue of the environmental health assistant as a profession to be part of the multi disciplinary health team needs also to be looked into. This transformation will still have to be introduced into the existing programs. A committee consisting of all important role players has been set up and will start with this process very soon.
The national education system in South Africa has also been transformed with a new focus on outcomes based education. A National Qualifications Framework (NQF) has been introduced that recognises areas of prior learning. All qualifications will have to be registered on the NQF to be recognised for status as well as financial subsidy from government. All the environmental health training programs will have to be registered on the NQF by 2006. The process has already been started.
Technikons nationally through a co-ordinating committee, the Committee of Technikon Principals (CTP), took a decision to co-ordinate the process to ensure compliance to the NQF. Training programs at Technikons are co-ordinated by means of a Technikon per training program co-ordinating national issues.
Various meetings were held with representative stakeholders such as the professional board for Environmental Health Officers, the SA Institute for Environmental Health (SAIEH), community representatives, government departments and other interested and affected parties were held. The approach was focused on the outcomes based approach, in other words what the qualified person needs to demonstrate after completion of the different modules. The outcomes for the different qualifications are attached as annexes to this paper. The above are the end product of more than three years of workshops and negotiations with environmental health stakeholders. The next phase of the process will entails the generation of unit standards for each qualification.
Annexure A
1. NAME OF INSTITUTION CTP (Convenor: Technikon Pretoria)
2. TITLE OF QUALIFICATION Bachelor’s Degree in Technology: Environmental Health
3. QUALIFICATION TYPE Professional Degree (Bachelor’s Degree in Technology: Environmental Health)
4. FIELD 09 Health Sciences and Social Welfare 01 Agriculture and Nature Conservation (pending on electives)
5. NQF LEVEL OF QUALIFICATION NQF level 6
6. PURPOSE OF QUALIFICATION A person credited with this qualification can apply management skills, research principles and advanced knowledge in elected sub-fields within the field of environmental health.
7. ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS / ASSUMPTIONS OF LEARNING IN PLACE The entry-level requirement for this qualification is the National Diploma: Environmental Health (360 credits) or an equivalent qualification in related fields.
8. EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES
CRITICAL OUTCOMES embedded in the specified outcomes: (*C = Core, F = Fundamental and E = Elective outcomes)
1. Function effectively as a member of the health and environmental sector within a multi-disciplinary team and intersectoral approach. 2. Identify and solve environmental health problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made. 3. Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others. 4. Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate environmental health information. 5. Communicating effectively using visual, mathematical and or language skills in the modes of oral and or written persuasion with all relevant fraternities. 6. Initiate community development projects towards upliftment and development of the community. 7. To assess the environmental health conditions to provide a professional input to ensure sustainable development. 8. Apply and introduce the management principles in order to provide sound environmental health practices. 9. Use the electronic media (computer to analyse, predict and solve complex environmental health problems.
10. TOTAL CREDITS 120 credits are required for the achievement of this qualification which will accumulate to 480 credits with the additional 360 credits that were required at entry level.
11. MINIMUM / MAXIMUM CREDITS This qualification complies with the requirement of a minimum of 72 credits at level 6.
12. INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT Assessment is continuous and will be done according to the following basis:
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT Written tests on completed theory Laboratory work is assessed where applicable Practical work is assessed where applicable
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT One written theoretical examination One written practical examination (applicable to practical/theoretical matter: case studies and/or projects)
13. ARTICULATION POSSIBILITIES This qualification is the second in the progression of qualification in the field of environmental health. It leads to further studies in this field and is the entry level requirement for the M Tech: Environmental Health.
There are also articulation possibilities with the fields of environmental management, food technology and occupational health and -safety.
14. CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS The current SERTEC requirements regarding examiners apply.
15. MODERATION OPTIONS Moderation procedures will be determined by individual Technikons’ within the criteria as set by SERTEC and the HPCSA.
16. COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATIONS 8 AND 9
This qualification complies with the requirements in Regulations 8 and 9 as prescribed by SAQA.
17. SIGNATURE
18. DATE OF SUBMISSION
Annexure B
1. NAME OF INSTITUTION CTP (Convenor: Technikon Pretoria)
2. TITLE OF QUALIFICATION Bachelor’s Degree in Technology: Environmental Health
3. QUALIFICATION TYPE Professional Degree (Bachelor’s Degree in Technology: Environmental Health)
4. FIELD 09 Health Sciences and Social Welfare 01 Agriculture and Nature Conservation (pending on electives)
5. NQF LEVEL OF QUALIFICATION NQF level 6
6. PURPOSE OF QUALIFICATION A person credited with this qualification can apply management skills, research principles and advanced knowledge in elected sub-fields within the field of environmental health.
7. ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS / ASSUMPTIONS OF LEARNING IN PLACE The entry-level requirement for this qualification is the National Diploma: Environmental Health (360 credits) or an equivalent qualification in related fields.
9. EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES
CRITICAL OUTCOMES embedded in the specified outcomes: (*C = Core, F = Fundamental and E = Elective outcomes)
10. Function effectively as a member of the health and environmental sector within a multi-disciplinary team and intersectoral approach. 11. Identify and solve environmental health problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made. 12. Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others. 13. Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate environmental health information. 14. Communicating effectively using visual, mathematical and or language skills in the modes of oral and or written persuasion with all relevant fraternities. 15. Initiate community development projects towards upliftment and development of the community. 16. To assess the environmental health conditions to provide a professional input to ensure sustainable development. 17. Apply and introduce the management principles in order to provide sound environmental health practices. 18. Use the electronic media (computer to analyse, predict and solve complex environmental health problems.
17. TOTAL CREDITS 120 credits are required for the achievement of this qualification which will accumulate to 480 credits with the additional 360 credits that were required at entry level.
18. MINIMUM / MAXIMUM CREDITS This qualification complies with the requirement of a minimum of 72 credits at level 6.
19. INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT Assessment is continuous and will be done according to the following basis:
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT Written tests on completed theory Laboratory work is assessed where applicable Practical work is assessed where applicable
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT One written theoretical examination One written practical examination (applicable to practical/theoretical matter: case studies and/or projects)
20. ARTICULATION POSSIBILITIES This qualification is the second in the progression of qualification in the field of environmental health. It leads to further studies in this field and is the entry level requirement for the M Tech: Environmental Health.
There are also articulation possibilities with the fields of environmental management, food technology and occupational health and -safety.
21. CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS The current SERTEC requirements regarding examiners apply.
22. MODERATION OPTIONS Moderation procedures will be determined by individual Technikons’ within the criteria as set by SERTEC and the HPCSA.
23. COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATIONS 8 AND 9
This qualification complies with the requirements in Regulations 8 and 9 as prescribed by SAQA.
24. SIGNATURE
25. DATE OF SUBMISSION Annexure C
1. NAME OF INSTITUTION CTP (Convenor: Technikon Pretoria)
2. TITLE OF QUALIFICATION Master’s Degree in Technology: Environmental Health
3. QUALIFICATION TYPE Master’s degree in technology
4. FIELD 09 Health Sciences and social services 01 Agriculture and nature conservation
5. NQF LEVEL OF QUALIFICATION NQF level 8A
6. PURPOSE OF QUALIFICATION A person credited with this qualification is competent in applying the research process to identify and address environmental and public health issues independently.
7. ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS / ASSUMPTIONS OF LEARNING IN PLACE An appropriate Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification of at least 480 credits. Entry is also subject to a personal evaluation. This is done in order to determine whether the prospective learner has the appropriate experience, aptitude, attitude and generic capabilities to successfully complete this qualification. The research proposal must be approved before a learner may register for this qualification.
8. EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES
CRITICAL OUTCOMES embedded in the specified outcomes: (*C = Core, F = Fundamental and E = Elective outcomes)
9. TOTAL CREDITS 120 credits are required for the achievement of this qualification which will accumulate to 600 credits with the additional 480 credits that were required at entry level.
10. MINIMUM / MAXIMUM CREDITS This qualification complies with the requirement of a minimum of 72 credits at level 8A
11. INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT Assessment is done according to the approved criteria of SERTEC applicable to post graduate assessment.
12. ARTICULATION POSSIBILITIES There are articulation possibilities with qualifications in the fields of environmental management, food technology and occupational health and -safety.
13. CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS The current SERTEC requirements regarding examiners apply.
14. MODERATION OPTIONS Moderation procedures will be determined by individual Technikons’ within the criteria as set by SERTEC (or other approved body).
15. COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATIONS 8 AND 9 This qualification complies with the requirements in Regulations 8 and 9 as prescribed by SAQA.
16. SIGNATURE
17. DATE OF SUBMISSION
Annexure D
SUBMISSION OF A RECORDED EXISTING TECHNIKON QUALIFICATION FOR INTERIM REGISTRATION WITH SAQA
1. NAME OF INSTITUTION CTP (Convenor: Technikon Pretoria)
2. TITLE OF QUALIFICATION Doctorate Degree in Technology: Environmental Health
3. QUALIFICATION TYPE Doctorate Degree in technology
4. FIELD 09 Health Sciences and social services 01 Agriculture and nature conservation
5. NQF LEVEL OF QUALIFICATION NQF level 8B
6. PURPOSE OF QUALIFICATION A person credited with this qualification is competent to originate and conduct creative research in order to add new knowledge and to impact on policy formulation in the field of environmental- and public health.
7. ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS / ASSUMPTIONS OF LEARNING IN PLACE An appropriate Master’s degree or an equivalent qualification of at least 600 credits. The research proposal must be approved before a learner may register for this qualification.
8. EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES
CRITICAL OUTCOMES embedded in the specified outcomes: (*C = Core, F = Fundamental and E = Elective outcomes)
9. TOTAL CREDITS 240 credits are required for the achievement of this qualification which will accumulate to 840 credits with the additional 600 credits that were required at entry level.
10. MINIMUM / MAXIMUM CREDITS This qualification complies with the requirement of a minimum of 72 credits at level 8B
11. INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT Assessment is done according to the approved criteria of SERTEC applicable to post graduate assessment.
12. ARTICULATION POSSIBILITIES There are articulation possibilities with qualifications in the fields of environmental management, food technology and occupational health and -safety.
13. CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS The current SERTEC requirements regarding examiners apply.
14. MODERATION OPTIONS Moderation procedures will be determined by individual Technikons’ within the criteria as set by SERTEC (or other approved body).
15. COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATIONS 8 AND 9 This qualification complies with the requirements in Regulations 8 and 9 as prescribed by SAQA.
16. SIGNATURE
17. DATE OF SUBMISSION
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Send mail to
gesondheid@ananzi.co.za with
questions or comments about this web site.
|
