Sri Lanka Qualification Framework (SLQF)
Introduction
Sri Lanka Qualification Framework (SLQF) is a new framework aimed at improving quality of higher education and training through recognizing and accrediting qualifications offered by different institutions. It identifies different levels to which the qualifications offered in the entire higher education sector in Sri Lanka are included. It helps to interpret qualifications and judge the relative value of a qualification. This enables the learners to make informed decisions about the qualifications they intend to acquire.
The SLQF identifies the broad levels of competencies that are expected from the holders of different qualifications. The minimum entry requirements for each qualification and the possible route of progression are also identified in the SLQF. This will facilitate the credit transfer and helps in the combination of qualifications as well as progression within the higher education system. It combines school, vocational education and higher education sectors.
SLQF recognizes the outcomes achieved after formal secondary education. It integrates the National Vocational Qualification Framework (NVQF) developed by the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC) and identifies flexible pathways which assist in lateral mobility between vocational education and higher education sectors by providing basis for recognizing prior learning and credit transfer.
SLQF helps in vertical mobility in higher education and encourages lifelong learning by identifying access to different qualifications. It clearly defines the avenues available for obtaining higher qualifications. It also encourages high quality vocational education and training by recognizing workplace experience which helps in national economic development. It helps in opening up learning and working opportunities irrespective of Sri Lanka Qualifications Framework gender and age. As such, the SLQF facilitates admission to and progression within the higher education system in Sri Lanka.
SLQF also promotes national and international recognition of qualifications offered in Sri Lanka and helps in evaluating the qualifications obtained from overseas institutions. SLQF also contributes significantly towards strengthening quality assurance mechanisms of the entire higher education sector in Sri Lanka.
Main Characteristics
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SLQF Updated Versions
SLQF Review Report 2019
| Background The first version of the Sri Lanka Qualifications Framework was published by the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) in 2012. It was revised and updated in 2015, but the key characteristics proposed in the first version of the SLQF in determining the level of a qualification remained unchanged. Implementation of SLQF 2015 by the 15 state universities under the purview of the University Grants Commission was required by Commission Circular No. 05/2013 (i) of the UGC dated 25.08.2017. All non-state Higher Education Institutes offering degree programmes approved by the MoHE were also required to implement it, by a letter issued by the Specified Authority/Standing Committee on Accreditation and Quality Assurance (SCAQA) to all the Chief Executive Officers of Degree Awarding Status Granted NSHEIs (ref No. HE/NS/03/220, dated 14.09.2016). During preparation of the World Bank proposal that led to the AHEAD Project, there was consensus that a review of the SLQF 2015 was needed in the light of implementation experience and any new global ideas on qualifications frameworks. The Final Report on SLQF Review 2019 was submitted to AHEAD on 28.02.2020 One of the sections of the review report is the responses to issues raised by the academic community in state and non-state sector HEIs regarding interpretation and clarification of SLQF 2015. They are presented in the form of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for easy reference by the users. These FAQs are mainly intended to provide further clarifications. However, in some cases, FAQs may override the statements in the SLQF 2015. The UGC has approved the FAQs in this section of the report at the 1032nd meeting of the Commission held on 11.06.2020 |
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