VUSSC/TQF2008/Tuesday

Review of NQF Development in Small States – Issues dealt with (See Andrea's slides for details)

• Purpose and rationale
• Data sourcing
• Working definition of QF
• Language of QF
• Certification processes
• QA and Registration
• Recognition of prior learning
• Comparability
• Terms requiring more consensus
• Common purpose and drivers of NQF development
• Nature of expectations by small states
• Steps in NQF development
• Policy breadth matrix
• Funding
• Prescriptiveness
• Architecture
• Guiding philosophies

MORNING BREAKOUT SESSIONS TO VERIFY COUNTRY INFO

Countries to provide detailed written responses to James by Wednesday

PACIFIC

• Identified pieces of wrong info and omissions
• Question about guiding philosophy

CARIBBEAN

• Frame for gathering info didn‚Äôt fit reality of the region
• How comprehensive is the TQF?
• Is registration part of the QA process?
• Contextual background is necessary

AFRICA

• Some adjustments needed
• Address omissions (e.g., Swaziland)
• Change implementation criteria (see top of p.91)
• Rating of countries may be contentious ‚Äì delete (see p.91)

MED & INDIAN OCEAN

• Address omissions
• Confusion around Levels 1 & 2 and 4 & 5.

TQF CONCEPT

• Definition; boundary setting; principles and guidelines
• Easier agreement with geographical proximity (But a mapping issue)
• Common understanding of QFs
• Lack of accreditation doesn‚Äôt equal lack of QA (e.g., in Jamaica, programs at UWI are quality assured but not accredited).
• Unified system: advantages ‚Äì flexibility; transferability
• Linked system - allows for differentiated contextual systems
• Embrace 10 levels but focus on lower levels for starters (4 and 5)
• Credit system ‚Äì based on notional hours

WORKING EXAMPLES WITHIN VUSSC

Joe Samuels

• 10 levels
• Level descriptors
• Qualification descriptors
• Qualifications criteria/guidelines (e.g., all Qs on TQF should be approved and registered by the appropriate national bodies or regional bodies)
• Ministers-VUSSC initiated process
• Map for comparability and recognition
• Builds capacity and trust

Interrogating the Proposed TQF Concept (Afternoon Group Session)

• Suggest ways in which the TQF can be used when there is no qualifications framework at a national or regional level?
• How (else) would you design the TQF to meet your specific needs?
• What value would the TQF add where an RQF exists?

Afternoon Group Session - Reports

CARIBBEAN

Use in absence of N/RQF

• TQF offers credibility
• Cross-border acceptance
• Portability
• Reciprocal recognition
• Regional retention of workers
• International recognition
• Mobility; transparency
• Reference point; Benchmark; equivalency; comparability

Design

• Broad level descriptors
• Catch all level qualifications in Q-descriptions
• Standards for assuring quality across fields

Value-Added

• External verification of NQ systems
• Joint verification team
• Linked to CARICOM
• Sharing of resources

AFRICA

Use

• Availability of local QA mechanism; liaison with COL re TQF
• Ministry can establish special entity to liaise with COL

Design

• 10 levels for TQF
• Focus on Levels 3-5
• Adopt a credit system and qualification criteria
• QA assessment/awards under national arrangements.
• VUSSC/COL logo on awards

Value-Added

• Sharing of material
• Contextual adaptation
• Link frameworks back to MoE

MED & INDIAN OCEAN

• Neutral conduit
• TQF necessary tool to build an NQF (provides template)
• Acts as a common denominator

PACIFIC

Use

• Agreed set of guidelines
• Providers ‚Äúdonate‚Äù good material

Design

• Focus on outcomes
• Facilitate. Not dictate
• Equivalences; comparability

Value-Added

• International recognition
• Mobility outside region

Discussion

• TQF at mega level runs the risk of too much generality
• JK's Summary (technicoloured flow chart of process)

PARKED ISSUES – TO BE REVISITED LATER (by Friday)

Tuesday, February 26th:* Scope of TQF – modules, levels, etc

• Register or Framework?
• Definition of terms
• Benefits to providers in participating on a voluntary basis in TQF
• Linking providers to TQF
• Enforcement powers of TQF (at meta level)