Seychelles Qualifications Authority – Set up in February 2006, following the approval of the SQA Bill in November 2005. At present the authority has a very small complement of staff – 4 specialist staff and 3 support staff. The intention is to remain small and nimble. The SQA is approximately at the half way stage in the development of the national qualifications framework, having already defined the concept of its NQF, develped policy-guidelines for standards setting, recognition of foreign qualifications. It is starting the process of recognition of existing qualifications, developing a policy on RPL, and making some headway in the development of quality assurance regulations (validation, certification and acceditation).
We have prepared this paper as four practitioners located in two African qualifications authorities that have collaborated in the area of qualifications framework development since 2003. In the paper, we give an overview of the development of occupationally-directed qualifications in the two countries to date, recognising that in the Seychelles a strong emphasis is being placed on a competency-based approach, while in South Africa an outcomes-based approach has been favoured. Comparing the two approaches, the current debates in each country and recognising that significant contextual differences exist between the Seychelles and South Africa we attempt to identify common challenges faced in the two countries as well as possible ways in which such challenges can be addressed.
Address and Contacts:
Beau Vallon
Phone – 247869 (Home) 283068 (Work) 723155 (mobile)
Email: edsqa@seychelles.net
Date of Birth: 4th September 1963
Tertiary Education:
1. Diploma in Teaching: (1984 -1986) Western Australian College of Advanced Education (now integrated into Edith Cowan University).
2. Bachelor of Education (1987) Western Australian College of Advanced Education in association with the University of Western Australia.
Double Major in History and Anthropology, Minor in English.
3. Master of Arts (September 1993 – September 1994)
School of Oriental and African Studies of the University of London.
4. Attestation D’Acquisition De Compétence (2003 – 2005)
Collège de Maisonneuve, Québec, Canada.
Work Experience:
Supply teacher (1983) Taught for one year after finishing A’ Levels at Les Mamelles Secondary, Plaisance Secondary, and Port Launay and Cap Ternay National Youth Service Villages.
History Instructor (1988 – 95) Taught O’ and A’ Level History in the School of Humanities and Science, Seychelles Polytechnic.
Senior Instructor (1992 – 1995) Humanities and science. Special responsibility for Careers Guidance.
Head of School - Humanities and Science, (1996-1999) Seychelles Polytechnic. Head of the A’ Level School of the Polytechnic, with over 25 teaching and support staff.
Assistant Director of Studies, Polytechnic (2000 – January 2003) In charge of the coordination and development of all studies related matters. All Heads of Schools were accountable to my office in terms of the academic performance of their students and the development of their courses.
Director: Further Education Development : Ministry of Education and Youth (February 2003 – February 2006)
Executive Director: Seychelles Qualifications Authority March 2006 to date.
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