Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012

PART 4

Standards and Awards

Framework of qualifications.

43.— (1) The framework of qualifications established and maintained by the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland under section 7(a) of the Act of 1999 shall, notwithstanding the repeal of that section by section 6 (1), continue in being under this Act and shall—

(a) be known as the National Framework of Qualifications (in this Act referred to as the “Framework”), and

(b) be kept and maintained by the Authority in accordance with this section.

(2) The Authority shall—

(a) review the policies and criteria on which the Framework is based,

(b) promote, maintain, further develop and implement the Framework as a system—

(i) for the development, recognition and award of qualifications in the State, and

(ii) of levels of awards based on standards of knowledge, skill or competence to be acquired by a learner to entitle the learner to an award at a particular level within the Framework,

(c) review the operation of the Framework,

(d) promote and facilitate the use by providers and awarding bodies of statements of what an enrolled learner is expected to know, understand, and where appropriate, demonstrate, on completion of a programme of education and training, and

(e) amend the Framework from time to time as it considers necessary taking into account paragraphs (a) to (d).

(3) Each body authorised by law to make awards in the State shall ensure, in so far as is reasonably practicable, that each award that it makes is recognised within the Framework.

(4) Each awarding body in the State shall, in respect of each award the body makes that is recognised within the Framework, ensure that a learner acquires the standard of knowledge, skill or competence associated with the level of that award within the Framework before an award is made.

(5) Each provider of a programme of education and training leading to an award that is recognised within the Framework shall, in respect of each such programme, ensure that an enrolled learner acquires the standard of knowledge, skill or competence associated with the level of that award within the Framework before an award is made.