What is PQF?The Philippine Qualifications Framework (PQF) is a national system that sets standards for educational qualifications and sets the levels of learning outcomes. It is a quality-assured system that develops, recognizes, and awards qualifications based on knowledge, skills, and values acquired by learners and workers. Qualifications are formal certifications that indicate successful achievement of specific learning outcomes relevant to academic, industry, or community requirements. They confer official recognition of value in the labor market and further education and training. The PQF aims to adopt national standards, support pathways for access to qualifications, and align domestic qualifications standards with international qualifications frameworks. The PQF is a collaborative program by the Department of Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Commission on Higher Education, Professional Regulation Commission, and Department of Labor and Employment.
FrameworkThe Philippine Qualifications Framework (PQF) consists of eight levels of qualifications, categorized by knowledge, skills, values, application, and degree of independence. It is a collaborative program by the Department of Education, TESDA, CHED, PRC, and DOLE, with Senior High School (Grade 12) as the foundation. The PQF offers eligible graduates the opportunity to obtain qualifications up to Level 5 and admission to Level 6.
Domains and DescriptorsThe Philippine Qualification Framework (PQF) consists of eight levels of qualifications, categorized by expected learning outcomes in knowledge, skills, values, application, and degree of independence. The framework is based on Senior High School and has sub-frameworks in different subsystems of the education and training system. The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) subsystem covers National Certificates (NC) I through IV, while the Commission on Higher Education Subsystem covers Baccalaureate, Postgraduate Diploma, Masters, and Doctorate levels 6 to 8.
Grade 12 students should possess functional knowledge and technical skills in various areas, with advanced competencies in communication, scientific thinking, and technology use. They should have a deep understanding of right and wrong, respect for their culture, and the environment. They should apply their knowledge and skills in academic and real-life situations, making informed decisions and using resources judiciously.
The National Certificate I focuses on manual, concrete, practical, and operational skills, applied in familiar, predictable contexts. It involves straightforward, routine issues addressed by following set rules, guidelines, or procedures. In conditions with close support, minimal judgment or discretion is required.
The National Certificate II focuses on manual, practical, and operational skills, applied in familiar, predictable contexts. It involves routine issues identified and addressed using set rules, guidelines, or procedures. The certificate is suitable for situations with substantial support, guidance, or supervision, requiring limited judgment or discretion.
The National Certificate III is a qualification that requires a balance of theoretical, technical, and practical skills. It involves understanding the work process, contributing to problem-solving, and making decisions about equipment and materials. This qualification is applicable in unfamiliar or unpredictable contexts, involving routine and non-routine issues. It may involve individual responsibility or autonomy, and may involve team or group coordination. This qualification may involve some responsibility for others.
The National Certificate IV focuses on theoretical and abstract skills, contributing to non-routine technical solutions, evaluating current practices, and developing new criteria and procedures. It is applied in various contexts, involving unfamiliar and unpredictable aspects, and addressing non-routine issues using guidelines or procedures that require interpretation or adaptation. The work also involves leadership and guidance in organizing activities for self and others.
Diploma holders possess theoretical and abstract knowledge, along with specialized technical, creative, and conceptual skills. They perform work activities demonstrating breadth, depth, and complexity in planning and implementing alternative approaches to technical and management requirements. They are applied in supervisory, complex, and non-routine activities requiring extensive interpretation and adaptation. They undertake work involving participation in strategic initiatives and personal responsibility in performing complex technical operations or organizing others. They also undertake work involving broad guidance and judgment in planning and selecting appropriate equipment, services, and techniques.
A Baccalaureate Degree holder demonstrates extensive knowledge and skills in their field of study, enabling them to apply their knowledge in professional work or research, and exhibits significant independence and minimal supervision.
The post-baccalaureate program focuses on demonstrating advanced knowledge and skills in a specialized or multi-disciplinary field for professional practice, self-directed research, and lifelong learning. It requires self-direction and leadership in specialized or multi-disciplinary work, and requires a high degree of independence.
Doctoral Degree and Post-Doctoral Programs. The individual has demonstrated advanced knowledge and skills in a highly specialized or complex multi-disciplinary field, enabling them to lead innovation, research, and development management in a multi-disciplinary setting. They have demonstrated independence in individual work and in teams, demonstrating expertise-based autonomy and accountability, and are well-suited for leadership roles in complex settings.
Benefits of the Philippine Qualifications Framework
The Philippine Qualifications Framework (PQF) is a comprehensive framework that outlines the levels of educational qualifications, the official recognition of learning achievements, and the standards for qualification outcomes. It offers numerous benefits to learners, academia, workers, professionals, employers, industry, and government. The PQF provides a standard for the recognition of certificates and licenses, enabling individuals to make informed choices in education and employment growth. It also promotes mobility, lifelong learning, and workforce confidence.
The PQF ensures that education and training providers adhere to specific benchmarks, ensuring the quality of education and training. It also facilitates seamless movement and progression of learners between education and training institutions. The PQF reduces job mismatch and increases productivity by providing employers with specific training standards and qualifications aligned with industry requirements.
The PQF harmonizes education and training qualifications in the country by establishing and institutionalizing qualification standards. It provides the government with common standards, taxonomy, and typology of qualifications for granting approvals to stakeholders. It also aids policy and planning formulation by comparing qualification frameworks of other nations, encouraging mutual recognition arrangements within ASEAN and other countries.
For Filipinos, the PQF coordinates and balances education and employment opportunities for nation building and holistic economic growth. Its features, such as Quality Assurance, Qualification Registrar, Pathways and Equivalencies, and International Alignment, strengthen technical education and consolidate education and employment resources.
The Philippine Education and Training System
The Philippine Qualifications Framework (PQF) is a comprehensive framework that outlines the levels of educational qualifications, the official recognition of learning achievements, and the standards for qualification outcomes. It provides a standard for the recognition of certificates and licenses, enabling individuals to make informed choices in education and employment growth. The PQF promotes mobility, encourages lifelong learning, and builds workforce confidence. It also sets standards for education and training providers, ensuring they adhere to specific benchmarks and are accountable for achieving them. It also provides a common understanding of policies and guidelines in curriculum/program formulation and implementation, facilitating seamless movement and progression of learners to and from different institutions. The Philippine education system covers both formal and non-formal education, with formal education spanning from elementary to secondary and tertiary levels. The system is tri-focalized by law into basic, technical-vocational, and higher education under three agencies: the Department of Education (DepED), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).