Abstract
D.Phil.
The purpose of this study is to design an RPL strategy for South African technikons which is based on international practices but customised to meet the needs of returningto- learning South Africans. It will open up access to or facilitate advanced standing in formal training for these learners. The strategy is based on:
1. an analysis of international perspectives on the nature of RPL and current international best practice
2. those aspects of the South African and technikon contexts which have a bearing on the customisation of RPL, and
3. responses and recommendations from two groups of RPL users which inform and refine the theory-based RPL strategy.
Although the dominant research paradigm is qualitative, the study incorporates an empirical element: a descriptive cross-sectional survey and three focus group interviews held with groups of RPL users.
The design for an RPL strategy is built around three specialised activities which must be carried out systematically within an institution: plan, implement and quality assure RPL.
Each of these specialised activities comprises a set of functions containing a number of procedures depicting a step by step process to implement and manage an RPL strategy at three levels: at institutional, agency and candidate levels.
The unique contribution of this study is that the RPL strategy can be used as a blueprint for implementing RPL and be customised to suit any context.