Secretary's Circular 27/2013 Guidelines To Printing of National TVET Certificates

1. AUTHORITY

The authority of this Secretary’s Circular is Section 28  (a) , (f) and (j) of the Education Act 1983. 

2. PURPOSE

This Secretary’s Circular serves to advise all the authorities of all the Technical/Business Colleges, National Polytechnic Institutes, Community Colleges and Vocational Training Centres within the National Education System about the policy change to the printing and issuance of national certificates for all Technical Vocational Education & Training (TVET) programmes. Department of Education or National certified TVET certificates printing and issuance will be guided by the new Guidelines titled ‘Printing of Certificates Handbook, 2013’.

 3. APPLICATION

The printing and issuance of nationally certified certificates as prescribed by the ‘Printing of Certificates Handbook, 2013’ is effective as of this date. The policy guideline applies to all registered TVET institutions operating under the National Education System.

 4. BACKGROUND

4.1 Prior to this new Guideline on Printing of Certificates, TVET Head Office distributed Blank Certificates.

4.2 The blank certificates were affixed with the National Department of Education Dry Seal and pre-signed by the Secretary for Education.

4.3 TVET institutions were responsible for printing of student assessment results on blank certificates that were pre-signed by the Secretary and were awarded on the graduation day of the institutions.

4.4 The data entry and details of the Certificates have been entered and awarded by the respective TVET institutions to graduates on successful completion of their courses.

4.5 Private printing companies in Port Moresby have printed all the Blank TVET Certificates.

4.6 Three Branches of the TVET Wing were responsible for arranging with private companies to print certificates. These were the vocational support services Branch, Community College Secretariat and Curriculum Branch.

4.7 In the above practices (4.1—4.6), it has been found that there was a higher risk of certificates being abused, e.g. Certificates were reprinted, certificates issued were not properly validated.

5. NEW GUIDELINES FOR PRINTING OF CERTIFICATES

5.1 CENTRALISING OF PRINTING OF CERTIFICATES

The Measurements and Quality Assurance Branch (MQAB) will be the ONLY Branch to print and issue national certificates signed by the Secretary for Education.

 

5.2 DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF GRADUATES LIST

The institution will submit accurate details of potential graduates to MQA Branch by 31^st March (first semester) and 30^th September (second semester) of each year to encode the names and details into the MQAB Database.

5.3 ACCURACY OF NAMES

All institutions will ensure that individual student’s given names and surnames are confirmed  before a final list is sent to MQA Branch for the encoding and printing of certificates. There will be NO REPRINT of certificates so this is important.

5.4 ACADEMIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE APPROVAL AND ENDORSEMENT

All names submitted for certification shall be accompanied by the Academic Advisory Committee (AAC) approval and endorsement.  No certificates will be printed without the approval and endorsement of respective institution’s Academic Advisory Committee.

6. COLLEGE GOVERNING COUNCIL INITIATED SHORT COURSES

TVET institutions that conduct Governing Council initiated courses can issue institutional certificates, but it must be endorsed by their respective Academic Advisory Committees. The certificates under this category will bear the college and TVET logos to show clearly that it is an institutional certificate.

7. LOST OR DAMAGED CERTIFICATES

There will be no reprinting of nationally certified certificates under any circumstance. The  Measurements and Quality Assurance Branch will only issue a Statement of Results.

A fee of K25 shall be charged for administration cost. All payments must be paid to the Accounts Section of the Department of Education / or collector of public monies.  Original copy of the payment must be attached with the request for Statement of Results form. The Statement of Results will be processed within 14 working days.

8. DISPATCHING AND CONFIRMATION OF RECEIPT OF CERTIFICATES

All certificates will be dispatched to TVET institutions via TNT or courier mail service for security and efficient delivery.

9. CONCLUSION

The TVET Wing and institutions are to adhere to these new guidelines in printing of certificates. 

All queries should be made to the Secretary for Education, Attention:  The Manager, Measurements and Quality Assurance Branch, Technical Vocational Education and Training Wing, P O Box 446, Waigani.  National Capital District.   Telephone:  3013549 or 3013552. Email: Education_Secretary@education.gov.pg

Signed:

DR. MICHAEL F. TAPO, EdD

Secretary for Education 
 

 

MQA ADVISORY VISITS PHASE 1

Measurement and Quality Assurance shall provide a solid basis for determining the suitability of the existing courses/programs of study and teaching materials, training packages and tools/equipment. Such ongoing assessments of the courses are essential if the syllabus/curriculum is to remain competitive with the demand of the industry and responsive to the needs and interest of the students, sponsors, stakeholders and to take into account new innovation, programs into the teaching-learning process as these become known.

ADVISORY VISITS TO NATIONAL POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE – LAE  (17^TH JUNE 2013)

  

Presented Certificate to NPI Director Mr. Graham Bidang for participating and providing quality data.

 

Ms. Agatha Simango - Assistant Manager M&E MQA Section, conduct Orientation and Awareness campaign and Quality Training and Management Audit / Survey.

ADVISORY VISITS TO MOUNT HAGEN TECHNICAL COLLEGE  (20^th JUNE 2013)

Presented Certificate to Principal Mr. Henry Mambil for participating and providing quality data.

 

Conduct Orientation and Awareness campaign and Quality Training and Management Audit / Survey.

                                                 

ADVISORY VISITS TO GOROKA TECHNICAL COLLEGE  (25^th JUNE 2013)

 

Presented Certificate to Principal Mr. Sogerifa Lutogo for participating and providing quality data.

Conduct Orientation and Awareness campaign and Quality Training and Management Audit / Survey.

 

MQA GOALS

GOALS OF MEASUREMENT AND QUALITY ASSURANCE BRANCH

(From Left to Right) Mr. Godfrey Yerua - a/Deputy Secretary

TVET & UNESCO, Dr. Uke Kombra - a/Deputy Secretary

Policy & Corporate Service, Mr. Rufino Rivera - Manager

TVET CID Measurement & Quality Assurance Branch

 

1. A measurement and quality assurance policy shall have as its first goal the commitment to ensuring quality output of skilled people in TVET institutions. Learning shall encompass skills training in vocational/technical education for students in their chosen discipline that will enable a student to acquire the skills required to qualify him for the demand in the industry.
2. A second goal of measurement and quality assurance shall be to furnish the sponsors, stakeholders, industry with pertinent information regarding the extent to which the student is trained in the chosen skilled field that will make it possible for them to cooperate with the college/centre and Measurements and Quality Assurance branch with the Curriculum & Inspection Division at TVET head office in the development of management plans that will result in  reviewing of current curriculum and improving facilities, tools/equipment and infrastructure  to meet the industry requirements.
3. Third goal of measurement and quality assurance shall be to assess the extent to which our colleges/centres are successfully teaching the courses/programs with required tools/equipment and facilities, libraries are fully equipped with latest textbooks and internet/computer services that are easily accessible for students use and course materials, training packages,  are  available and the objectives are achieved by  providing the training students require that will enable them to be absorbed into the industry to meet their requirements.
4. A fourth goal of measurement and quality assurance shall be to provide a solid basis for determining the suitability of the existing courses/programs of study and teaching materials, training packages  and tools/equipment. Such ongoing assessments of the courses are essential if the syllabus/curriculum is to remain competitive with the demand of the industry and responsive to the needs and interest of the students, sponsors, stakeholders and to take into account new innovation, programs into the teaching-learning process as these become known.
5. A fifth goal of measurement and quality assurance is that this  branch  shall  be responsible for monitoring and  evaluating of all the courses offered at the Institutions ensuring that  the objectives are achieved and students are given quality education and skill in their training.