The National School of Government (NSG) is offering the Know and Live Our Constitution Training Programme, a free eLearning course designed to improve public servants’ understanding of the South African Constitution and their responsibilities when delivering public services.
The course focuses on the rights of citizens, human rights obligations, public service delivery, governance and democracy.
According to the NSG programme information, the course is available throughout the year and has an average duration of 16 hours. Public servants can enrol and complete the course at their own convenient time and pace.
The programme is aimed at officials involved in delivering public services across the three spheres of government.
Importantly, the flyer states that the cost per participant is FREE.
Know and Live Our Constitution Course Overview
| Programme Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Programme | Know and Live Our Constitution |
| Provider | National School of Government |
| Course Type | eLearning / self-paced training |
| Cost | Free |
| Target Group | Public service officials |
| Availability | Throughout the year |
| Average Duration | 16 hours |
| Learning Method | Self-paced eLearning |
| Focus Areas | Constitution, rights, human rights, governance and democracy |
| Application/Enquiries | eLearning@thensg.gov.za |
| Website | thensg.gov.za |
The NSG has previously listed Know and Live Our Constitution among its online courses that can be completed anytime and anywhere.
What Is the Know and Live Our Constitution Programme?
The Know and Live Our Constitution programme is designed to promote greater awareness of the constitutional provisions that affect citizens and public servants.
For government officials, understanding the Constitution is important because public institutions have responsibilities relating to service delivery, human rights, accountability and good governance.
The course provides participants with an opportunity to strengthen their understanding of these principles and how they relate to their roles in government.
The NSG has described the course as a self-paced eLearning programme, allowing participants to study at their own time and pace.
Who Is the Course For?
The flyer identifies the target group as:
All officials who are tasked with delivering public services in the three spheres of government.
This means the programme is aimed at public servants whose work contributes to government service delivery.
The three spheres of government are:
- National government
- Provincial government
- Local government
Public officials working in these spheres can benefit from understanding how constitutional principles relate to their responsibilities.
What Will You Learn?
The programme has several learning outcomes.
By the end of the course, participants should be able to:
- Explain the intent of the Constitution.
- Appreciate the rights available to everyone living in South Africa.
- Describe how government is organised to give effect to human rights.
- Describe and meet the human rights obligations relevant to their job roles.
- Explain how state institutions protect and promote governance and democracy.
These outcomes connect constitutional knowledge with the practical responsibilities of public servants.
Understanding the South African Constitution
The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa is central to the course.
Participants are expected to develop a better understanding of the purpose and intent of the Constitution and how it shapes the relationship between the state and the people of South Africa.
This includes understanding the importance of constitutional rights and the responsibilities of government institutions.
For public servants, constitutional knowledge can help provide context for decisions, interactions with citizens and the delivery of public services.
Human Rights and Public Service Delivery
One of the key areas covered by the programme is the relationship between human rights and public services.
Public servants interact with citizens in many different situations. Their work can therefore have a direct impact on people’s access to government services and the way they are treated by public institutions.
The course aims to help participants understand the human rights obligations that are relevant to their individual roles.
Governance and Democracy
The programme also addresses the role of state institutions in protecting and promoting governance and democracy.
Participants should gain a better understanding of how government institutions contribute to democratic governance and the protection of constitutional principles.
This can help public officials connect their everyday responsibilities with the broader objectives of the public service.
How Long Is the Course?
The flyer states that the average course duration is:
16 Hours
The programme is available throughout the year.
Participants can enrol and study at their own convenient time and pace.
This makes the programme suitable for public servants who need to fit learning around their existing work responsibilities.
The NSG has also previously identified Know and Live Our Constitution as one of its self-paced online courses.
Is the Know and Live Our Constitution Course Free?
Yes.
The supplied NSG flyer clearly states:
Cost per participant: FREE
This means participants do not have to pay a course fee according to the programme information shown on the flyer.
Applicants should nevertheless use the official NSG channels when registering and avoid paying third parties who claim they can secure a place on the programme.
How to Register for Know and Live Our Constitution
The flyer invites eligible participants to register for the Know and Live Our Constitution Training Programme.
For eLearning enquiries, it provides the following email address:
The flyer also directs users to:
Participants should use the official NSG website and eLearning contact details for registration and course-related information.
The NSG’s official course information also lists eLearning@thensg.gov.za as an eLearning contact.
What You Need Before Registering
Because this is an eLearning programme, participants should have access to the necessary technology and internet connectivity to complete the course.
Before registering, make sure you have:
- Access to a computer or suitable digital device.
- Reliable internet access.
- A working email address.
- Sufficient time to complete approximately 16 hours of learning.
- Your relevant public service information, where required during registration.
The supplied flyer does not specify additional academic qualifications or a Matric requirement.
Is This a Learnership?
No.
The Know and Live Our Constitution programme should not be confused with a traditional employment learnership.
It is an eLearning training course offered by the National School of Government.
The purpose is to develop knowledge and understanding among public service officials rather than to advertise an entry-level employment opportunity.
The NSG has listed the programme among its online courses that learners can complete independently.
Benefits of Completing the Programme
The course can help public servants strengthen their understanding of:
Constitutional Principles
Participants can develop a better understanding of the intent and importance of the Constitution.
Citizens’ Rights
The programme highlights the rights available to people living in South Africa.
Human Rights Responsibilities
Participants can connect human rights obligations with their specific roles in government.
Public Service Delivery
Understanding constitutional principles can help officials appreciate the responsibilities associated with providing public services.
Governance and Democracy
The course also addresses the role of state institutions in promoting governance and democracy.
Why Constitutional Knowledge Matters for Public Servants
Public servants operate at the point where government policies and services reach citizens.
Their decisions and interactions can affect how people experience government services.
A strong understanding of constitutional principles can therefore help officials recognise the importance of:
- Respecting citizens’ rights.
- Acting within the law.
- Meeting human rights obligations.
- Supporting fair and responsible public service delivery.
- Promoting accountable governance.
- Supporting democratic institutions.
The programme is intended to promote awareness of these principles among officials responsible for delivering public services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Know and Live Our Constitution course free?
Yes. The supplied NSG flyer states that the cost per participant is free.
Who can take the course?
The target group identified by the flyer is officials tasked with delivering public services in the three spheres of government.
How long does the course take?
The average course duration is 16 hours.
Is the course available throughout the year?
Yes. The flyer states that the course is available throughout the year.
Can I study at my own pace?
Yes. The programme information states that public servants can enrol and study at their own convenient time and pace. The NSG has also described the course as self-paced eLearning.
What does the course teach?
The course covers the intent of the Constitution, citizens’ rights, human rights obligations, government responsibilities, governance and democracy.
Do I need Matric to apply?
The supplied flyer does not specify a Matric or academic qualification requirement.
Is this an employment opportunity?
No. It is a training and eLearning programme for public service officials rather than a job vacancy.
Where can I ask about eLearning?
The flyer provides eLearning@thensg.gov.za for eLearning enquiries.
Where can I find more information?
The flyer directs participants to the National School of Government website at www.thensg.gov.za.
Know and Live Our Constitution Registration Checklist
Before registering, make sure you have:
- Confirmed that you fall within the intended public service target group.
- Access to a suitable digital device.
- Reliable internet access.
- A working email address.
- Time available to complete approximately 16 hours of learning.
- Access to the official NSG eLearning information.
- Contacted eLearning@thensg.gov.za if you need registration assistance.
Important Note for Applicants
This programme is different from many youth employment opportunities advertised online.
It is not presented as a paid internship, learnership or job placement.
The supplied flyer specifically focuses on training public servants in constitutional awareness, human rights and governance.
Applicants should therefore make sure they understand the target audience before attempting to register.
They should also use the official NSG channels rather than paying an individual or third-party website to register on their behalf.
Conclusion
The Know and Live Our Constitution Training Programme provides public service officials with an opportunity to strengthen their understanding of South Africa’s Constitution and the responsibilities associated with delivering public services.
The programme is free, available throughout the year and has an average duration of 16 hours. Participants can study at their own convenient time and pace through eLearning.
The course focuses on the intent of the Constitution, citizens’ rights, human rights obligations, government responsibilities, governance and democracy.
If you are a public official involved in delivering government services and want to improve your constitutional knowledge, you can enquire about registration through eLearning@thensg.gov.za or visit the official National School of Government website for further information.
