NEXT STEP TOWARDS A NATIONAL FRAMEWORK OF QUALIFICATIONS
Wednesday 24 April 2002
"The determination by the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland of the policies and criteria is a vital step in moving towards a national framework of qualifications"
said the Authority Chairperson, Mr. Dick Langford, on the publication today by the Authority of Towards a National Framework of Qualifications - Establishment of Policies and Criteria.
The establishment of the policies and criteria is a further step in a process that will have far-reaching effects for the development of a lifelong learning society in Ireland.
"The principal task for the Authority is to develop a national framework of qualifications. We have now undertaken an initial consultation with stakeholders and have reached the stage where we have determined the policies and criteria on which the framework will be based. The next step is to work on the implementation of these policies to determine the framework itself. We are aiming to publish an outline framework at the end of the summer."
The publication sets the development of a framework of qualifications in the context of a vision for the recognition of learning, and in line with broad national and European policy of promoting a lifelong learning society. The publication sets out the values and principles, and process guidelines, which will underpin the work of the Authority. It further sets out key definitions, design criteria on which the framework will be based, and policy factors that will guide the specification of the framework. The document concludes by setting out the next steps to be taken by the Authority.
Mr. Langford added:
"It is the Authority's goal that the framework will become the single, nationally and internationally accepted entity, through which all learning achievements may be measured and related to each other in a coherent way and which defines the relationship between all education and training awards. The framework will continue to be relevant to learners as they undertake learning throughout their lives: in this way, it can be a real step in the development of a lifelong learning society."
The document published today was preceded by an intensive consultation process, in which over 80 submissions were made to the Authority and which also involved a Forum in February 2002 in Dublin Castle attended by over 300 people.
Copies of the publication are available free of charge from the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland and on the website of the Authority.
National Qualifications Authority of Ireland
Towards a National Framework of Qualifications -
Establishment of Policies and Criteria
Summary
This document is a further stage in the development of a national framework of qualifications. It follows on the publication by the Authority of a discussion document in November 2001 and the consultative process arising from it. In this document the Authority formally determines:
- a set of broad values and principles that will underpin the establishment of a national framework of qualifications; these values and principles form a starting and reference point for the development of operational policies and strategies for the Authority, and for the design criteria of the framework itself
- a set of process guidelines to be adopted by the Authority itself in its work
- the policies and criteria on which the development of the framework will be based.
The document is structured in six parts. This first part sets out the context for the work of the Authority and in particular for the development of a framework of qualifications. Parts 2 and 3 set out the Values and Principles, and Process Guidelines, which will underpin the work of the Authority. Part 4 comprises three chapters that set out key definitions, the design criteria on which the framework will be based, and policy factors that will guide the specification of the framework. Part 5 addresses the issue of the differentiation between further and higher education and training. The document concludes by setting out the next steps to be taken by the Authority.
Part 1 - Context
The development of a framework of qualifications is situated in the context of the 1999 Qualifications (Education and Training) Act, the consequent establishment of the Authority and other structures, and the research and consultation process undertaken in 2001-2002. It is set out that this document is published at a certain stage in the work of the Authority and, as such, is not intended to address the performance by the Authority of all of its functions.
Part 2 - Values and Principles
This Chapter sets the development of a framework of qualifications in the context of a vision for the recognition of learning, and in line with broad national and European policy of promoting a lifelong learning society. To ensure compatibility with this vision, the development of the framework will be undertaken in accordance with an integrated set of basic values and principles: equality and accessibility, comprehensiveness and coherence, transparency and simplicity, quality, and relevance.
Part 3 - Guidelines
Arising out of the values and principles set out in Part 2, the Authority has decided that its work should be undertaken in accordance with a set of process guidelines. These guidelines are discussed under six headings: consultation and inclusiveness, research and evaluation, best management practices, facilitating change, the international dimension, subsidiarity and autonomy.
Part 4 - Policies and Criteria
The Chapters in Part 4 set out the policies and criteria that have been determined by the Authority for the development of the national framework of qualifications. It begins by discussing definitions of key terms arising out of the basic features of the framework laid down in the Qualifications Act.
Chapter 4 - Definitions
The Qualifications Act lays out certain basic features of the framework - it is to be "a framework for the development, recognition and award of qualifications in the State . . . based on standards of knowledge, skill or competence to be acquired by learners". Chapter 4 addresses the meaning of the terms Standards, and Knowledge, Skill and Competence, arriving at working understandings for the purpose of the development of the framework.
Chapter 5 - Criteria for Design of the Framework
This Chapter, building on a synthesis of the principles, guidelines and definitions already described, sets out the specific design criteria which will be used by the Authority in the development of the framework of qualifications. An outline of the proposed framework structure is given. It will be based on levels. Each level will have a specified level indicator. At each level in the framework there will be one, or more, award-types. Each award-type will have its own award-type descriptor. For each award-type a wide range of named awards will be developed. The Chapter concludes by discussing the processes for the inclusion of awards in the framework
Chapter 6 - Policies
This Chapter sets out a number of policy factors that have been identified by the Authority as key guidelines to be followed in the design of the framework of qualifications. These policies are set out in three groups: factors intrinsic to the setting of standards, factors related to learners acquiring awards and factors related to how awards are received and perceived. The policies are further elaborated in the schedule to Chapter 6.
Part 5 - Further and Higher
This Chapter acknowledges the legislative requirement for the Authority to define further and higher education and training, in addition to developing the national framework of qualifications. It indicates that the differentiation will not be a factor in framework design, and is a separate task. However, framework design will inform the Authority's thinking in relation to the differentiation.
Part 6 - Next Steps
The Authority sets out the next steps that will be undertaken in its development process; this will include the determination of
- an outline framework of qualifications, and
- procedures to promote access, transfer and progression.
Background to National Qualifications Authority of Ireland
The National Qualifications Authority of Ireland was established in 2001 by the Minister for Education and Science, Dr. Michael Woods, T.D. It has a membership drawn from a wide range of stakeholders, including nominees of the universities, learners and the social partners.
The Authority's main task is to establish and maintain a national framework of qualifications. Awards to be included in this framework are those of public bodies in the State, namely the Further Education and Training Awards Council, the Higher Education and Training Awards Council, the Dublin Institute of Technology and the universities, and the Junior Certificate and the Leaving Certificate of the Department of Education and Science. It may also include awards from private bodies in the State, such as professional bodies, and from international bodies making awards to learners in the State.
The Authority is also to establish the overall standards of further and higher education and training awards, other than in the universities. The Authority also has a key role of facilitating continuous lifelong learning through the promotion of access, transfer and progression for all learners at all levels of further and higher education and training. The Authority will also liaise internationally to facilitate the recognition of Irish awards abroad and of international awards in Ireland.
