The Botswana Qualifications Authority(BQA) officials revealed during discussions with stakeholders at Tlotlo Conference Centre Friday, that it was meeting deadlines to give feedback for recognition of workplace learning initiatives, a day after consultants complained about poor turnaround times.
BOTASH took 94 days to register as a workplace learning initiative and De Beers Sightholders Sales took 60 days to complete exercise of getting feedback for their workplace learning initiatives officials revealed citing a better understanding of process by those handling applications.
“There is less backwards and forwards. It seems because of better understanding of requirements,” said Segomotso Chimbombi, Manager – Registration and Accreditation(TVET) for BQA.
Officials stressed importance of ETP’s keeping documents on compliance and creating an arrangement to enable refunds by putting money into a Trust Fund before service have been rendered to learners.
BQA also sought input and guidance from various stakeholders on process of identifying, assessing and recognizing how they can recognize abilities and qualifications of a person without formal learning. It includes pre-assessment to gauge individuals readiness for RPL and preparation for assessment.
Notwithstanding the general consensus by ETP’s that the workshop was useful in that it allowed service providers to share some of the challenges they were experiencing with implementation, there was a feeling by some that the process could be further simplified to improve ease of access.
“The BQA process appears longwinded in sense that requirements are lumped together. The workplace training requirements are the same as the requirements for consultancies and general education,” said Mothusi Ntobedzi, Head of Learning for Constell Group, Diamond Cutting and Polishing Company.
He said, “You are expected to submit requirements for everything. It includes company registration, governance, protection of enrolled learners and policies. It is difficult for companies because one document covers a lot of policies.
Stakeholders believe that workshops like those BQA held addressed to workplace institutions offering workplace learning allow interaction with stakeholders to further improve ease of access and clarity of understanding for the benefit of all those involved in the process of offering quality education.
“The mandate of BQA is very clear. It is important to have standards that are relevant to industry and are regulated,” said Ntobedzi.
