National Qualifications Framework - Mauritius

• Acronyms
• Overview
• Objectives
• Structure of the Framework
• Organisational Structure
• Impacts and Achievements
• Contacts

Acronyms:

• IVTB Industrial and Vocational Training Board
• MEHRD Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development
• MQA Mauritius Qualifications Authority
• MTSDP Ministry of Training, Skills Development and Productivity
• SADC South African Development Community

The national qualifications framework in Mauritius aims at integrating academic and vocational awards and includes all stages of education and training for secondary schools to higher education. The decision to adopt an NQF was taken based on the report by the Scottish Qualifications Authority, which undertook the study in 1998 to advise the government on the setting up of an NQF for Mauritius. The NQF was introduced in 2002 with the establishment of the Mauritius Qualifications Authority (MQA), which is responsible for implementing the framework.

Background

The current certification system in Mauritius has been identified as a hindrance to the effective realization of national goals in the field of human resource development. There are a large number of providers of education and training, offering courses in varied fields and at different levels, of varying duration and quality. Many certificates offered by these providers recognize attendance only with little or no information about the outcomes of learning achieved as a result of such attendance. There is limited qualification and career pathways available to qualification holders, with many of the pathways constrained by historic patterns and regulations. There is limited portability of qualification, with articulation often dependent on the ruling of the National Accreditation and Equivalence Council. The system is seen by many as being elitist, and advantaging the few fortunate enough to gain entry into reputable institutions. In addition, the current certification system does not recognize prior learning, that is, skills and knowledge acquired as a result of informal training. Moreover, since it does not provide for lifelong learning, it is not sufficiently stimulating. For most people, this current certification landscape, with its multitude of distant structures and features, is a world of confusion and frustration.

With a view to resolving and remedying the many real and perceived weaknesses of the current certification system in Mauritius, in 1998, the then Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development in collaboration with the IVTB (Industrial and Vocational Training Board) commissioned a study by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) to advise on the setting up of a National Qualifications Framework for Mauritius. The SQA had discussions and consultations with representatives of relevant Ministries/Departments, parastatal bodies, private sector, trade unions and training institutions.

Consequently, Government approved the setting up of a Project Steering Committee under the Chairmanship of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Training, Skills Development and Productivity to work out the framework and drive the NQF in line with international standards. The Committee in its report made proposals for the setting up of the National Qualifications Framework and the MQA.¹

The framework was developed to ensure greater articulation between education, training, and the world of work and that training responds to standards set by industry. At the same time, it aims to encourage lifelong learning through recognition of prior learning and flexible delivery of training.

The main objectives of the NQF as stated in the report by the SQA are to:

• Gradually take care of the actual problems of certification and accreditation and also give international recognition for vocational qualifications awarded in Mauritius;
• Facilitate entry and exit between the education and training systems, hence widening the scope for career development;
• Enhance lifelong learning;
• Provide parity of esteem between academic and vocational qualifications;
• Increase employers participation in producing the right skills  for industry; and
• Provide a vigorous regulatory framework to ensure quality of training supplied.

The national qualification framework was also set up to facilitate regional benchmarking (by 2003) as a member of the South African Development Community (SADC).

Structure of the Framework

The national qualifications framework in Mauritius aims at integrating academic and vocational awards and includes all stages of education and training for secondary schools to higher education.

Organizational structure

The Mauritius Qualifications Authority has been set up with a view to regulating training in Mauritius and is operational since 8 May 2002.

Objectives of the MQA

The objectives of the Mauritius Qualifications Authority are to:

• Develop, implement and maintain a National Qualifications Framework;
• Ensure compliance with provisions for registration and accreditation in the MQA Act;
• Ensure that standards and registered qualifications are internationally comparable.

Functions of the MQA

The MQA has the following functions to:

• Formulate and publish policies and criteria for:
• The registration of bodies responsible for establishing national standards and qualifications;
• The accreditation of bodies responsible for monitoring and auditing such standards and qualifications; and
• The registration and accreditation of training institutions.
• Generate and register national standards for any occupation;
• Register qualifications obtained from primary to tertiary level;
• Register and accredit training institutions in Mauritius;
• Recognize and validate competencies for purposes of certification obtained outside the formal education and training systems;
• Evaluate qualifications;
• Keep a database of learning accounts of Mauritians;
• Publish an annual list of registered unit standards, qualifications and training institutions;
• Advise the Minister on matters pertaining to the National Qualifications Framework;
• Perform any other function, which the Minister may assign and which is relevant to the National Qualifications Framework.

Impacts and achievement

The Mauritius Qualifications Authority has, pending the development of appropriate standards, started to accredit training providers and their on-going approved courses for their duration or up to the end of the year 2004, whichever is the earlier.

Contacts

Mauritius Qualifications Authority
Contact department and address:
Training and Skills Development Division
Ministry of Training, Skills Development and Productivity
Level 6, Renganaden Seeneevassen Building,
C/r Jules Koenig & Maillard Streets,
Port Louis.
Republic of Mauritius.
Tel : 212 5051-53; 212 5048
Fax: 212 5820; 210 1519
E-mail:
hrd@mail.gov.mu

Ministry Affiliation
Ministry of Training, Skills Development and Productivity
(Collaboration with the Ministry of Education & Scientific Research)

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