What Committee told Parliament about S.Q.A

The Samoa Qualifications Authority (S.Q.A) has drawn the ire of a Parliament Committee, who highlighted a number of issues it found from five years worth of annual reports.

In its report to the Legislative Assembly on the S.Q.A.’s Annual Reports for the Financial years ending 2009 through to 2013, the Education, Science, Communication and Information Technology (E.S.C.I.T.) Committee noted that less than one third of the 20 schools listed had been registered with the Authority.

The Committee is chaired by the Associate Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Lenatai Victor Tamapua. Other members include deputy Chairman, Ifopo Matia Filisi, and members Levaopolo Talatonu, Tusa Misi Tupuola, Aveau Nikotemo

Palamo, Tuileutu Alavaa Voi and Tufuga Gafoaleata Faitua.

Here is the report in full:

The Education, Science, Communication & Information Technology Committee recommends that the Assembly takes note of its Report. 1.

Resolution: The Committee recommends that the Government approves of the: - P.P. 2014/2015, No. 33, SQA Annual Report for the Financial Year

Ending 30th June 2009; - P.P. 2014/2015, No. 34, SQA Annual Report for the Financial Year Ending 30th June 2009; - P.P. 2014/2015, No. 35, SQA

Annual Report for the Financial Year Ending 30th June 2009; - P.P. 2014/2015, No. 36, SQA Annual Report for the Financial Year Ending 30th June 2009; - P.P. 20l4/2015, No. 3, SQA Annual Report for the Financial Year Ending 30th June 2009; - The Committee’s Recommendations are as follows

2. Recommendations: The Committee recommends that the Government look in to: 1. That the SQA should prepare Programmes for Registered Schooling, that there is equality in curriculum programme for every schools, in accordance with the level of Achievements that has been developed by the SQA. 2. That the SQA should follow up with those schools that have been registered but have yet to implement programmes for their monitoring and approval. 3. That all international schools such as APTC should hereby abide with the regulations of the Acts for the monitoring and approval by the SQA of its educational curriculum, that it may have equality with all other local schools.

3. Findings: 3.1 Roles of the Ministry VISSION: To be the lead agency that promotes post school education and training that is acclaimed nationally and internationally for its quality, its relevance to the needs for learners, the community and to the directions established for the nation. MISSION: To work in partnership with all stakeholders to promote the achievement of high quality past school education and training that is nationally and internationally acclaimed and 3.2

Response:
1. Compliance with legislations The SQA is formally in complied with SQA Act that is regulating its on-going duties, and responsibilities. Apart from compliance with the Samoa Qualification Authority Act, it also has responsibilities under the following: - Public Bodies (Performance and Accountability) Act 2001 and Regulations; - Public Finance Management Act 2001; - Strategy for the Development of Samoa 2008 — 2012; - PSET Strategic Plan 2008 — 2016; - Ministry of Education Strategic Policies and Plan 2006 — 2015; and - Cabinet Directives.

2. Compliance with SDS: In other SQA responsibilities and functions it is compliance with the Strategic Development of Samoa.

3. Compliance with approved budget for period 2011-2012: In accordance with the financial statements of the SQA as audit by the Audit Office, it reveals a true and fair view of the financial position of the Samoa Qualifications Authority of the investigated financial year. Its financial performance and cash flow are good and in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards.

3.4 Observations: OVERVIEW: The committee in its observations discovers the following as of importance: The Samoa Qualification Authority started its implementation in the year 2005 under the United Nation Development Program (U.N.D.P) and the International Labor Organization (I.L.O). It was later lawfully established in 2006 as establishing of its Management alone. But this Act of 2006 was demolished after the passing of the new amendment Act in 2010. The Samoa Qualification Authority Act 2010 list that the SQA is to perform the function of regulating qualifications and quality standards for the Post School Education and Training in Samoa. After the implementation of the second part of its

Professional Development Program (P.S.I.F), it provided the Authority with ways of clearly sets directions to carry out responsibilities, policies and regulations for the implementation of its functions. The registration of and accreditation of programs in Post School Education and training started in 2008. The number of staff members has now increased. The Board has also strived to strengthen its partnership with Post School Education and training and especially those of

P.S.E.T Providers. In this working in partnership with P.S.E.T and Providers it has help in direct negotiations with the S.Q.A partners. Since the implementation there was no corporate plan for the Authority, but it was still its priority until its implementation. It also implement together with its Professional Development Program. In the implementation of its functions it is aim at three categories, such are: - Achievement of Standard Requirements: As of today only 20 schools have been registered and put in place required regulations for the implementing of schools. Some of these schools are still in negotiation with the Board in implementing required regulations to be achieved. - Accreditation of Standard Requirements for Schools: The Standard Requirements for Schools is already developed. The obstacles facing the Board, is the delay submission of programs from all schools for its accreditation. Up to the date only 6 programs have been received by the Board including the School of Maritime of the National University of Samoa.

All others are still in the on-going process. Schools are been encouraged to comply with standards and regulations as their programs need to be approved. There is also an Accreditation Panel that makes decision for the achievement of

Standard requirement of the registration. - Plans to be Considered: Up to the time of the Committee’s investigations, the Board has yet to conduct its investigations as it is already been approved that for this investigation will be done in every five (5) years.

All of the Academic Qualifications has already been registered on the program. Last year, 38 Qualifications were introduced and are now all in the program. Other Samoa Qualifications such as skills in Vocational Education, Tours &

Hospitality and Agriculture Science. Post School educations can now teach these skills but only through the accreditation of the Board. The sole aim for this implementation is to promote opportunities for Samoa to acquire qualifications prerequisite in businesses. Other Services: There are other services provided by the Board such as:- - Foreign Qualifications Recognition Services (F.Q.R.S). For this service, various Corporations have requested the assistance of the

Board for the assessments of this kind of qualifications. - Strategic Research Services: This service involves researches carried out not only on schools but also researches on employers and corporations or (Employer Survey). -

Recognition of Non Formal Learning (NFL): The Board is also mandate to recognize non formal learning so as to enhance as recognized qualifications.

The belief, is that for any form of education that is given, it is for the purpose to achieve good qualifications. - PSET Management Information System:

The Board is aiming at gathering information and records for Post School Education training. As of to date, there is no information from Post Schools, and the Board is moving into preparation and managing a bulletin for information. - Training for PSET Instructors: The Board has already set up a program called Technical and Vocational Education Training.

Challenges and Constraints faced by the Board: 1. Committee Constraints/Solutions Recommended by the Committee: i. The Committee notice, that the Board in the future implement a program for a standardized curriculum in Post School

Education training. ii. From the 20 schools, only 6 have already been registered. The Committee questions the difficulties/restraints of the majority of Schools to register. iii. The committee notice, that many students have already graduated, but have yet to receive accreditation from the board of their Programs/Courses as of its statutory obligations.

2. SQA Responses to the given Constraints/Solutions Recommended: i. Available now are qualifications based on National Competence Standard. All courses and programs are given to the board for its accreditation to coincide with qualify standards. ii. The Board guessed that the delay in the registration of other schools is due to the process and the format needed. Other than this, they also have to include evidence in the submission of their programs. On the other hand, there is limited number of resources needed as compared to overseas countries. As of now, we have receive assistance from Australia and resources, course structure and instructors. iii. The Board has notified of the registration of the

APTC in Samoa, but is yet to be in consideration of its courses/programs.

4. COMMITTEE’S VISIT: The Committee visited Don Bosco and Tesese Institute which are under the Authority’s Post School Education and Training program. During the course of its visit, the Committee noted that the Don Bosco School has already registered and are able to renew its registered annually in accordance with the criteria’s. The Committee also noted that the Don Bosco School already submits a list of courses that they are offering for these school leavers and drop outs. These includes: Plumbing, Design Technology, Welding, Electricity and Engineering. The Committee also noted that the School sought assistance from the Authority to help improve the standard of their teachers in which they believe, improving the standard of teachers qualifications will also improves the students learning. The Committee spotted one difficulty faced by the School for Accreditation of qualifications, is because their level of qualifications does not meet the exact standard as required by the Authority. The Committee also visited the Tesese Institute located at Lalovaea. The Committee found out that 90% of students attending the school are school leavers and drop outs from colleges. The Head Officer specifically stated that they have already registered for Accreditation but hasn’t been proved pursuant to provisions of policies and criteria’s for submission. The Committee noted that the Institute no longer receives Grant from the Government. The Committee requires for a valid reason for this situation but the Institute has no clue over the issue.
5. WITNESS: During the course of its deliberations, the Committee was able to hear evidence submitted by; Samoa Qualifications Authority. Fepuleai Sinapi Moli - Chief Executive Officer Maposua Mose Asani - Assistant Chief Executive Officer, Corporate Services Easter Manila-Silipa - Assistant Chief Executive Officer, Research, Policy and Planning Tea Tepora Wright - Assistant Chief Executive Officer, Qualifications Kovi Aiolupotea - Assistant Chief Executive Officer, Quality Assurance

5. PAPERS CONSIDERED P.P.2014/2015, No. 33, Annual Report of the Samoa Qualifications Authority for the Financial Year ended 30 June 2000; P.P.2014/2015, No. 34, Annual Report of the Samoa Qualifications Authority for the Financial Year ended 30 June 2010; P.P.2014/2015, No. 35, Annual Report of the Samoa Qualifications Authority for the Financial Year ended 30 June 2011; P.P.2014/2015, N0. 36, Annual Report of the Samoa Qualifications Authority for the Financial Year ended 30 June 2012; P.P.2014/2015, No. 37, Annual Report of the Samoa Qualifications Authority for the Financial Year ended 30 June 2013 6. COMMITTEE’S SIGNATURE: Lenatai Victor Faafoi Tamapua, Chairman Ifopo Matia Filisi, Deputy Chairman Tusa Misi Tupuola, Member Tuileutu Alavaa Voi, Member Tufuga Gafoaleata Faitua, Member Levaopolo Talatonu, Member Aveau Nikolemo Palamo, Member
Tony Nelbourne Natanielu, Clerk Iole Sanerivi, Assistant Clerk