Tesese Institute

Our Story The Samoa Qualifications Authority (SQA) is the national statutory body legally established under the SQA Act 2006 and continuing under the SQA Act 2010 to regulate, coordinate, and quality assure Samoa’s Post School Education and Training (PSET) sub-sector. Its establishment was originally identified in Samoa’s Education Policies and Strategies 1995-2005 and subsequently reinforced by a 2003 joint review from the International Labour Organisation and the United Nations Development Programme. SQA’s vision is Quality and Sustainable Post School Education and Training for Samoa, while its mission is to Regulate, Coordinate and Quality Assure Post School Education and Training through Collaborative Partnerships. In recent years, SQA achieved a major milestone with the official launch of the Samoa Qualifications Framework (SQF), a standardized structure that defines all nationally recognized qualifications, ensures quality across PSET, aligns Samoa’s qualifications with regional and international standards, and supports lifelong learning pathways for all Samoans. Programs & Trainings Programme Accreditation, formal accreditation of post-school education and training programs to ensure national quality standards. Provider Registration, registration and oversight of PSET institutions and training providers. Qualifications Registration, national registration of qualifications within the Samoa Qualifications Framework. Samoa Qualifications Framework (SQF), governance and maintenance of the standardized structure for all nationally recognized qualifications and lifelong learning pathways. Quality Audit, systematic quality audits of registered PSET providers. National External Moderation, independent external moderation processes to secure consistency and reliability of assessments. Workplace Assessment, assessment and certification of competencies gained in workplace settings. Recognition of Current Competencies (RCC), evaluation and formal recognition of skills and knowledge already possessed by individuals. Recognition of Non-Formal Learning, validation of learning acquired through informal and non-formal channels. Record of Achievement (RoA), national administration of learner achievement records via the dedicated RoA Portal. Careers Advisory Services (CAS), career guidance and counseling services delivered through the CAS Portal. Registration and Licensing of TVET Lecturers & Trainers, professional registration and licensing for technical and vocational education trainers. Programme Development Process, support for the design, development, and review of PSET curricula and programs. Coordination of the PSET Support Fund, management and disbursement coordination of the national PSET support fund. Research, Policy and Planning Development, evidence-based research, policy advice, and strategic planning for the PSET sector. Specialties Regulation and coordination of Post School Education and Training (PSET) National qualifications framework governance and international alignment Quality assurance, accreditation, and compliance auditing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) lecturer licensing Recognition of prior, current, and non-formal learning National external moderation and assessment standardization Career advisory and learner guidance services Workplace competency assessment and certification Sector research, policy formulation, and strategic planning Methods & Approach SQA operates through collaborative partnerships with education providers, government agencies, and international organizations. Its methodology combines regulatory oversight with sector support, utilizing standardized frameworks, national external moderation, competency-based workplace assessment, and structured quality audits. The Authority ensures alignment with regional and international standards while preserving local relevance through bilingual documentation and engagement in both English and Samoan. Service delivery is streamlined through specialized digital portals, enabling efficient provider registration, qualification tracking, and career advisory access. Who It's For Post-school education and training providers seeking accreditation or registration; TVET lecturers and trainers pursuing professional licensing; employers and industry bodies conducting workplace competency assessments; individual learners and workers seeking recognition of current competencies or non-formal learning; students and jobseekers requiring career guidance and advisory services; education policymakers and planners; and international stakeholders seeking qualification equivalency and alignment with Samoan standards. Facilities & Practical Info Head office located at Level 2, TATTE Building, Sogi, Apia, Samoa. SQA delivers services through multiple digital portals including the MIS Portal, RoA Portal, and CAS Portal. Official publications such as Annual Reports and the Samoa Qualifications Framework are publicly accessible in both English and Samoan. Engagement with providers and learners is managed through structured accreditation cycles, audit schedules, and external moderation timelines. Location Address: Level 2, TATTE Building, Sogi, Apia, Samoa Hours: See website for schedule The "+" Statutory national authority with a clear legal mandate under the SQA Act 2010 Comprehensive PSET ecosystem covering provider accreditation, lecturer licensing, and learner achievement records Samoa Qualifications Framework aligns national qualifications with international standards while enabling lifelong learning Bilingual service delivery and public transparency through published annual reports in English and Samoan Integrated digital portals (MIS, RoA, CAS) providing streamlined access for providers, learners, and career advisors