ALTERNATIVE PATHWAY
Explanations of the Prevocational Pathway
Technical Occupational Curriculum (GCE: TOC)
Overview
The General Certificate of Education: Technical Occupational (GCE: TO) is a Level 1 qualification on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) introduced by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) in collaboration with Umalusi, QCTO, and DHET. It provides an alternative, inclusive pathway within the General Education and Training (GET) Band for pupils with practical, technical, or vocational aptitudes who may not thrive in traditional academic pathway.
Purpose
- To offer a recognized qualification for pupils with interest and aptitude in applied, technical, or occupational fields.
- To equip pupils with foundational skills for employment, entrepreneurship, or further vocational study.
- To support inclusive education by accommodating diverse learning needs and addressing barriers to learning.
- To retain pupils in the education system through a relevant, skills-based curriculum.
Structure
- The term Year is used as the term Grade is reserved by the Academic CAPS Curriculum and pathway which has different requirements and assessment requirements. Therefore, is not to be assumed that Year 9 is the same or equivalent to Grade 9.
- The Prevocational pathway in the Prep school uses the DCAPS curriculum for curriculum design and offering.
- Orientation Level (Year 7): Pupils are exposed to at least two vocational fields.
- Official start of the TOC Level 1–4 ( Year 8-11): Pupils specialize in two vocational areas in year 8 and from year 9 specialise in one vocational area while continuing general education subjects. The Vocational subject broadly constitutes 50% of the overall teaching time.
- Duration: Minimum 4 years; maximum 6 years depending on the ability of any particular pupil.
- Credits: 120 (60 General Education + 60 Vocational subjects).
Curriculum Components
- General Education (Compulsory):
- Languages: Home and First Additional Language
- Mathematics
- Life Skills: Personal & Social Wellbeing, Physical Education, Creative Arts, Natural Sciences
- Integrated Computer Technology : Integrated or offered as enrichment
- Integrated Vocational subjects ( Occupational electives):
- Hospitality and Wholesale and Retail Studies.
Assessment
- General Education: 75% School-Based Assessment + 25% External Examination.
- Vocational Subjects: 50% Practical + 25% Written Test + 25% External Exam.
- Achievement: Minimum of 40% in four subjects (3 General + 1 Vocational) for certification.
- Rating Scale: 1–7 (Not Achieved to Outstanding).
- Moderated by Umalusi to ensure validity, fairness, and consistency.
Progression and Articulation
- Pupils achieving the qualification may progress to NQF Level 2 programmes (in Hospitality Service) either at Cedarwood or another institution.
- Those completing only parts of the qualification receive a Statement of Achievement.
Implementation and Context
- For pupils 14 years and older, identified through the SIAS policy as having vocational or practical aptitude.
- Supports inclusive education, aligning with White Paper 6 and National Policies on diversity and learner support.
Vocational (College) – Being phase out from 2026
In order to qualify for the Vocational programme in its current form, a pupil has to have an Academic Grade 9 achievement. A part of the programme additional unit standard are added on an NQF 2 Level. Please note that is not to be confused with the prevocational year 9
The Vocational Pathway is offered to pupils in Year 10 – Year 12. Cedarwood School offers one vocational course, i.e. End User Computing (EUC). This course is usually offered over a 3 year period to make the content accessible to pupils.
The successful completion the of End User Computing curriculum will result in pupils obtaining an NQF Level 3.
