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 31st March (first semester) and 30th 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 
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