The Vanuatu Qualifications Framework defines the qualifications recognised in TVET within Vanuatu. The Vanuatu Quality Training Standard defines the criteria and standards for registration of training organisations and course accreditation.
a) International regulatory and policy frameworks
The USP is a member of the Asia-Pacific Quality Network (APQN). The USP is also a member of the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE).
Education for All (EFA)
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
United Nations Literacy Decade
UNESCO’s Four Pillars of Education
United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014)
b) Regional agreements
Vanuatu is a founder-member of the multi-nation USP consortium.
Pacific Islands Forum Basic Education Action Plan (FBEAP)
Pacific Regional Initiatives for the Delivery of Basic Education (PRIDE) Project
Pacific Education for Sustainable Development Framework
Pacific Education Development Framework (PEDF) 2009-2015
The Pacific Plan (the Pacific Plan Task Force is managed by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General)
Virtual University for Small States of the Commonwealth (VUSSC)
Secretariat of the Pacific Board of Education Assessment (SPBEA)
Other regional agreements relevant to DE include:
African, Caribbean and Pacific Island States (ACP)-EU Partnership Agreement
Asian – Pacific Postal Union
Millennium Challenge Compact (with the United States)
Pacific Agreement on Closer Trade Relations (PACER)
Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA)
The Vanuatu Government is also party to a wide number of bilateral agreements on aid, primarily with AusAID, the New Zealand Aid Programme, UNICEF and a number of European Union agencies.
c) National regulations and policy
Business Licence Act (1998)
Education Act (2001)
Foreign Investment Promotion Act (1998)
International Companies Act (1992)
Vanuatu National Training Council Act (1999)
Education master plan 2000-2010 (1999)
Republic of Vanuatu TVET policy and strategy (2004)
Policy for open and distance education learning, Vanuatu (2009)
Vanuatu qualifications framework: draft November 2004
EFA national plan of action 2001-2015 Republic of Vanuatu (2004)
Vanuatu Education Sector Strategy 2007 – 2016
EFA National Plan Of Action 2001 - 2015
Education Master Plan 2000-2010
d) State/District regulations and policy
Any foreign distance education provider would be expected to comply with any relevant local legislation such as the Department acts, Municipal acts and Provincial acts. There are also Provincial Training Boards that function under the umbrella of the Vanuatu National Training Council (VNTC).
e) University policies
Vanuatu is one of twelve Pacific island states which jointly own the University of the South Pacific. However, the extent to which the Vanuatu Government is able to influence the direction of the USP is constrained by its minority stake-holding.