S.Q.A. makes 'significant progress': annual report

By Soli Wilson 04 December 2020, 7:00AM

The Samoa Qualification Authority says it has recorded significant progress since its establishment, according to its Annual Report for the Financial Year 2018-2019. 

The S.Q.A. was established in 2006 to regulate and ensure the quality of post-school education and training in Samoa and noted that its regulatory functions were made more powerful in 2010 with new legislation. 

The report states that the Authority is in a “better position” to provide advice, induce results and contribute effectively to the development of Post School Education and Training (P.S.E.T.) in Samoa.

In turn, P.S.E.T. Providers are starting to appreciate the Authority’s role in leading to make improvements to their own standards to ensure they produce better graduates, the report states. 

“[We are seeing] consistent progress in meeting requirements for professional standards as lecturers and trainers; registration, accreditation and audits of the P.S.E.T. Providers together with [the] continued development and application of National Competency Standards (N.C.S.) leading to Samoa Qualifications which are recognised nationally and internationally,” the report reads.

The report says that its Technical and Vocational Education and Training support programme has improved the understanding of the Authority’s work among educational providers. 

Financially, the institution has maintained just over $2 million in net assets in the past two years.

With its strong financial position, the S.Q.A. expects it will be able to meet all its obligations.

The S.Q.A. recorded total revenue of $5,622,789 including a Government grant of $3,088,132 during 2018-2019, exceeding its budget expectations.

Its total expenditure of $5,420,273 also came in below budget for the year, resulting in a profit of $202,516.

The net profit for 2018-2019 is a 20 per cent drop compared to the previous year. 

“Financially, [the] S.Q.A. continued to operate well within its given budget allocation. The surplus of $202,516 was a direct result of stringent budget control,” the report reads. 



By Soli Wilson 04 December 2020, 7:00AM
Samoa Observer

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