What is the Philippine Qualifications Framework

(PQF)?
 The PQF describes the levels of educational qualifications and sets the
standards for qualification outcomes.

 It is a quality assured national system for the development, recognition and

award of qualifications based on standards of knowledge, skills and values
acquired in different ways and methods by learners and workers of the
country.

Qualifications
 It refers to the formal certification that a person has successfully achieved
specific learning outcomes relevant to the identified academic, industry or
community requirements.  A Qualification confers official recognition of value
in the labor market and in further education and training. 

 The Philippine Qualifications Framework - It is a collaborative program by the

Department of Education (DepEd), Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority (TESDA), Commission on Higher Education (CHED) ,
Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and Department of Labor and
Employment (DOLE).
Framework

 The PQF has eight (8) Levels of qualifications differentiated by

descriptors of expected learning outcomes along

3 domains:

1. knowledge, skills and values;

2. application;

3. and degree of independence.

 It has sub-frameworks corresponding to the subsystems of the education and

training system. For example, the Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority (TESDA) subsystem covers National Certificates (NC)
I through IV corresponding to the first four levels while the Commission on
Higher Education Subsystem cover Baccalaureate, Postgraduate Diploma,
Masters, and Doctorate that correspond to Levels VI to VIII. The two Sub-
systems interface in the provision of qualifications at level V.

The PQF considers Senior High School (Grade 12) as the foundation of the 8
 levels, and provides eligible Senior High School graduates the possibility of
obtaining qualifications up to Level 5 as well as admission to degree programs
in Level 6.

Domains and Descriptors

  The PQF logo is composed of a stylized rendering of the initials PQF
rendered in the blue and red of the Philippine flag. The Letters are in the front
of a yellow sun, similar to the Philippine flag's. Surrounding this are eight
circles, representing the eight levels of the framework, which are in a circular
pattern to show the idea that the levels are not hierarchical.
Benefits of the Philippine Qualifications
Framework

 The Philippine Qualifications Framework describes the levels of educational

qualifications, the official recognition of a person’s learning achievements.  It
also sets the standards for qualification outcomes which are the knowledge or
skills gained by students after undergoing a certain learning or educational
program.

 Adopting a well-developed qualifications framework presents several benefits

to learners, academe, workers, professionals, employers, industry and
government.
 The PQF provides a standard for the recognition of certificates and licenses
that individuals may move and progress through.  

 It shows pathways and equivalences to help them make informed

choices in education and employment growth.  As such the framework
promotes mobility, encourages lifelong learning and builds the
workforce confidence.

 As the PQF establishes a standard for education and training providers,

 it helps guarantee that these providers adhere to specific benchmarks

and are accountable for achieving the same, ultimately ensuring the
quality of education and training.  In addition, since the PQF provides
common understanding of policies and guidelines in
curriculum/program formulation and implementation, it also allows for
the seamless movement and progression of learners to and from
different education and training institutions.

 With the PQF, job mismatch can be reduced and productivity increased.  

 It provides employers with specific training standards and qualifications

that are aligned to industry requirements.  The PQF provides
employers immediate information on what a worker can be expected to
know and do, and are further assured that qualifications are consistent
and are based on standards.

 The Philippine Qualifications Framework can help form unity as it 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 as bases for granting approvals to
stakeholders.    Moreover, the PQF helps policy and planning
formulation through comparison with the qualification frameworks of
other nations, encouraging the forging of mutual recognition
arrangements within the ASEAN and other countries.

 For Filipinos, the PQF coordinates and balances education and employment
opportunities for nation building and holistic economic growth.  The PQF and
its features (Quality Assurance, Qualification Registrar, Pathways and
Equivalencies and International Alignment) strengthens technical education
consolidates education and employment resources.