National Assembly approves SQA Act |11 November 2021
The Seychelles Qualifications Authority (SQA) is to absorb certain functions of the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC), as stipulated by the Seychelles Qualifications Act (2021) which was yesterday approved by the National Assembly.
Minister for Youth, Sports and Family Marie-Celine Zialor while presenting the Bill noted two primary objectives: to modernise the entity’s legal framework and allow for the transfer of TEC’s quality assurance functions to the SQA.
Since its inception, the SQA has conducted much work to bring established standards in the education system, especially at tertiary level and towards ensuring that the standards are at par with international standards.
“Over the 15 years of the implementation of its law, there has also been much development on the national front, in particular rapid changes in our education system. Revision of the law also takes into account development at regional and international level pertaining to qualifications, the qualifications frameworks and quality assurance in education and training. This means that over the many years of implementation, certain parts of the law are outdated,” explained Minister Zialor.
“The Bill has two main objectives, the first of which is to modernise the law. Since the SQA has been operating for 15 years, it was necessary that the SQA Act 2005 is revised to address the challenges raised during its implementation and more specifically to make the following provisions; to review and modernise terms and expressions, to address weak points and gaps, such as provisions for concerned entities to appeal the SQA decisions, to better protect the interests of individuals who are studying,” Minister Zialor pointed out.
“This Bill makes provisions for the SQA to develop standards which relate to quality assurance to measure and evaluate how educational institutions are performing. The second main reason for the Bill is to provide for the transfer of certain functions of the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC), established in 2011, to formalise and integrate certain functions of the ministry as well,” Minister Zialor noted.
The Ministry of Education is discussing reforms in TEC or the dissolution of the commission on account of duplications in terms of ensuring quality assurance within education. As per Minister Zialor it is well placed and adequately resourced to deal with registration of tertiary education institutions and to recognise international qualifications offered by institutions in Seychelles.
The law also formalises the integration of the inspectorate unit within the entity, towards quality assurance in education. The Bill also takes into consideration the Addis Convention ratified by Seychelles in November 2019, relating to higher education in African states. With additional and clearer responsibilities, the Bill gives the SQA a greater regulatory role and better consolidates their position as an authority both locally and internationally, Minister Zialor added.
Linyon Demokratik Seselwa (LDS) member for Beau Vallon John Hoareau afforded his support for the motion, as did United Seychelles (US) representative Johan Loze. Both Hon. Rocky Uranie and Hon. Andy Labonté proposed that the SQA be more stringent in evaluating qualifications of non-Seychellois employees.
Come his time to intercede, the leader of the opposition (Loto) in the National Assembly Sebastien Pillay expressed concerns over the dissolution of TEC, without a clear and well-thought out plan for TEC.
In rounding up the presentation, Minister Zialor informed the Assembly that the SQA will only be assuming a few of the functions of TEC, the main reason being that there was an overlap between the two.
The Bill was approved as amended by 28 votes in favour. The Assembly did not record any votes against, nor did any members abstain.
The existing law providing for the creation of the SQA came into effect in March 2006. The creation of the agency was followed by the development of the National Qualifications Framework in 2008 and regulations for the framework effected as of January 2009.
Minister Zialor was accompanied in the Assembly by the vice-chairperson of the SQA Jean-Michel Domingue and senior legal draftsperson at the Attorney General’s office Victor Pool.
Laura Pillay