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“The Annual General Meeting of members of The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) will be held in Gauteng at the Southern Sun Grayston, Corner Grayston and Rivonia Roads, Sandton (in the Bryanston 1 & 2 Rooms), on 26 May 2011 at 09h00.”

News - SAICA AGM

The following business will be transacted:

The consideration of the Annual Financial Statements of the Institute for the year ended 31 December 2010.
The consideration of a report by the Chief Executive Officer.
The consideration of a report by the auditors.
The reappointment of KPMG as the auditors.

Due and proper notice will be provided of the aforementioned meeting via the following means:

Electronic mail � if you are registered on our database as a member capable of accepting communications from SAICA in this manner.
Post � if you are registered on our database as a member unable to accept communications from SAICA in electronic format (i.e. email).

Proxy forms will be available on the SAICA website: www.saica.co.za from 26 April 2011, and mailed to those referred to in 2. above.

Completed proxies must reach the registered office of SAICA at 7 Zulberg Close, Bruma Lake, Johannesburg 2195; or P O Box 59875, Kengray, 2100; or faxed to +27(11) 621 6799, no later than 09h00 on Tuesday 24 May 2011 48 hours before the time appointed for the AGM and must be addressed to:

Jenny Baker
Legal and Governance Unit
The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants
7 Zulberg Close
Bruma Lake, 2195
Johannesburg
Facsimile 011 621 6799

If you do not receive the notification and proxy forms timeously, please contact the SAICA Contact Centre for assistance at 0861 072 422 or +27 (11) 621 6600 or email jennyb@saica.co.za.

Recognition of Prior Learning � Addressing and Redressing Inequalities in the Workplace

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) in South Africa is critical to the development of an equitable education and training system. There are those who erroneously believe that RPL means the lowering of standards and compromising quality, but this is not the case according to the Association of Accounting Technicians of South Africa (AAT(SA))s.

Essentially RPL facilitates access to, and provides mobility and progression within education, training and career paths. In addition it also aims to accelerate the redress of past unfair discrimination in education, training and employment opportunities.

There are many learners performing relevant jobs to a high standard within organisations, who find themselves unable to progress in their careers through lack of external recognition of their achievements (recognition readily conferred by the attainment of a qualification). It is this cohort of potential students that AAT(SA)'s RPL policy aims to address, by recognising their prior achievements and crediting those against AAT(SA) qualifications. The process of RPL does not mean or result in the awarding of a qualification on merit only. To be awarded a qualification, a process of assessment is required, regardless of how the qualification was accessed.

AAT(SA) has the following three different approaches to RPL, which are used in various combinations;

Use of workplace evidence to assess the level of the practical competence of the individual.
Use of exemptions - giving recognition to already achieved academic qualifications.
Use of skills tests/checks � to assess areas and level of exposure.

If the principle of RPL is properly understood, the process can be effectively developed and implemented and the outcome sufficiently quality assured. Since the inception of RPL in South Africa in 1994, the country has not moved beyond the first level. We've got the basics right, but we're not getting people into the proper qualifications, more needs to be done.

AAT(SA) recognises and accepts that people come to knowledge and competence through different pathways. In South Africa, where there is a large market of uncertified individuals working in accounting roles, RPL has been readily adopted by training providers, some of whom are using bridging courses to facilitate advancement onto AAT qualifications.

At AAT's core is a commitment to high values and customer centricity which guides its approach to RPL. By recognising the skills and knowledge of individuals already working in accounting roles, AAT is facilitating the career advancement of individuals who may otherwise find their avenues for progression limited.