recognition as a health profession changed our educational system!

 ISRMT Curriculum and the Education System in South Africa

 OUTCOMES BASED / COMPETENCY BASED EDUCATION (OBE)

 According to the South African Qualifications Authority Act, which was promulgated on the 4^th of October 1995 , all training should be developed according to outcomes-based education. In future only this form of training will be recognised by the education system in South Africa .

 ISRMT is one of the few Reflexology Schools that has met these standards, and can offer a 2-year Diploma course (240 credits) in Therapeutic Reflexology, recognised by the Department of Education (DoE) on Tertiary Diploma Level (level 5). ISRMT offers both Classroom Learning and Distance learning (available in SA from 2003), of which both learning programmes cover the subjects as stipulated by the Allied Health Professions Act.

 Outcomes Based Education (OBE) is learning based on intended end-results, as apposed to traditional input-based learning. It is based on what learners intend to achieve and then worked backwards in order to determine what is needed to achieve it. The focus of OBE lies in acquiring the capability to know what to learn and which skills to master in managing one’s own learning. The focus is on the learner, and the aim is to achieve the outcome of the learning programme as well as to develop the capacity to think, reason, criticise, and to apply knowledge and skills within a specific context. 

 The benefits of this type of education lies in the ability of the learner to become decision makers, interact confidently, and adapt to change easily, rather than be able to recite knowledge parrot-fashion.

 ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR SOUTH AFRICA

In order to enrol for the course, learners must be in the possession of at least a senior high school certificate, i.e. Grade 12 (Matric). There are no stipulations as to which subjects the learner should have studied in order to qualify for enrolment, though prior knowledge in health related subjects such as Biology, Anatomy and/or Physiology, Science, etc. will be helpful.

 Alternatively, where such a qualification has not been obtained, learners may be allowed to enrol on condition that they are at least 23 years of age.

COURSE STRUCTURE

 The Allied Health Professions Act (Act no 63 of 1982, as amended) states the following in the regulations (regulation 45.10) with regards to minimum requirements for curricula, which will allow for full registration with the Allied Health Professions Council of SA on successful completion of the course:

A person who wishes to register as a therapeutic reflexologist in terms of the Act shall pass at an educational institution a Therapeutic Reflexology Diploma which shall consist of at least-

(a) The major subjects of-

1.         Anatomy;

2.         Pathophysiology;

3.         Physiology;

4.         Practical Therapeutic Reflexology; and

5.         Theoretical Therapeutic Reflexology; and

(b) The ancillary subjects of-

1.         Business and Practice Management;

2.         Ethics and Jurisprudence;

3.         First Aid;

4.         Nutrition; and

5.         Patient Care

 All of the above subjects will be covered and are included in the tuition fees. However many buzz words are used in the industry such as “biomechanics”, “meridians”, “applied anatomy & physiology”, etc. These buzzwords are topics covered in some of the major or ancillary subjects, e.g. biomechanics and meridians will be covered under theoretical therapeutic reflexology, whereas acid-alkaline diet will be covered under nutrition. Applied sections of the anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology will be covered in both theoretical therapeutic reflexology, as well as in the subjects of anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology.