The de-registration of local training providers and the removal of a qualification are among powers that the Samoa Qualification Authority is proposing in a new law.

Speaking on the sidelines of a three-day consultation by the S.Q.A. with various stakeholders including post-school education and training providers this week, the C.E.O. Lealiifano Easter Manila-Silipa told the Samoa Observer that they are proposing a number of amendments to the Samoa Qualification Authority 2010 Act.

She said among the changes they are proposing is the de-registration of a training provider due to non-compliance.

“Some of the reasons for a provider to be subjected to de-registration is the application for the registration of the provider contained information that was false in a material particular; or the provider is non-compliant to or has not achieved learning outcomes or competencies of learning activities that have been quality assured by the Authority; or that the provider is or has repeatedly breached the provisions of this Act,” Lealiifano said.

Another proposed change is the removal of a qualification from the qualification framework with the C.E.O. indicating that publishing false information on a qualification are grounds for removal in the proposed legislation.

“Another amendment we are looking at is the removal of a qualification from the Samoa Qualification framework,” she told this newspaper.

“According to the draft of the Samoa Qualification Authority Amendment Bill 2022: the authority may remove a qualification registered on the S.Q.A. framework where – the application for the registration of the qualification contained information that was false in a material particular; or that the registered qualification is non-compliant to or has not achieved learning outcomes or competences of learning activities that have been quality assured by the Authority.”

The proposed amendments will also address board members’ numbers which Lealiifano said has to align with the Government policy of just 3-5 directors.

If the amendments are passed by the parliament, the C.E.O. said the SQA will have the power to grant or refuse an application for registration of a training provider, following consideration by its standards, criteria, processes and fees applicable to the granting or refusal of an application for registration under this Act.

The consultations for Upolu started on Monday and concluded on Wednesday this week with  the team heading to Savaii to host another consultation on Friday. 

The Authority was established under the S.Q.A. Act 2006 which was repealed in 2010 to provide more regulatory functions to the Authority. The S.Q.A. Act 2010 is an Act to establish the Samoa Qualifications Authority to prescribe its functions, powers and duties.