Membership of the Board

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3.1.5 Membership of the Board

Across countries, membership of governing entities is generally either representative of the education and training sectors and stakeholders of the qualifications system; or has expert membership with expertise in the area of qualifications frameworks or quality assurance. These two approaches do not exclude examples which include a notion of both options. The membership of each the agency responsible for the NQF in the six countries was reviewed. Membership numbers generally range from 8 to 16 members; however, in the case of South Africa the Board in its initial stage and directly after the apartheid period had up to 25 members. Of interest is: • only one agency had student representation on the governing body; QQI has two student members, one of which is to be nominated by the Union of Students in Ireland; • previous arrangements in Australia included an international observer; • SCQF Partnership Board includes a Scottish Government representative as an observer; • Some agencies have identified specific sectors, agencies or peak bodies e.g. teachers, principals from which nominations are sought e.g. South Africa; and • Some agencies include community representation e.g. Scotland. The summary oversimplifies the membership information of the six countries reviewed as it does not explain the level or scope of representation of the members, the authority to select membership, the process for seeking nominations, and the selection processes of the members. An analysis of the six countries reviewed indicates that various processes are utilized: • appointments are generally made by the relevant Minister; • some agencies can co-opt additional members e.g. SCQFP Board in Scotland; • some agencies have a Chair selected from within the members or have an independent Chair; • nominations include consideration of skills and expertise, e.g. AQF Council Australia, QQI Ireland, SCQF Committee Scotland, South Africa; • membership is to have a balance in terms of gender, expertise in approvalmonitoring of programs and providers, and knowledge of education and training systems; and • nominations are sought from relevant bodies or directly appointed by the relevant Minister usually under advice from specific ministries. Terms of membership varies from two to five years, although in almost all instances this membership can be extended through either Chair or ministerial approval. Remuneration details were not always explicit across the four countries reviewed. 12 Both Ireland and South Africa include remuneration details in their legislation. Remuneration generally covers cost of attendance for members unless a public servantgovernment body employee and possible additional remuneration for the Chair. The process for appointing members varied across the six countries reviewed. For example, in South Africa the Minister seeks nominations through notices in the Gazette to organizations that can nominate persons on the basis of their experience and expertise; and there is to be no more than one nomination made by any organization or union. Conflicts of interests of membership are addressed in various ways, either through legislation or through protocols established for the responsible agency. 12 Excluding Australia and Hong Kong as the responsible agency is within government department. 21

3.1.6 Reporting structures