Samoa Qualifications Authority - SQA

07/05/2026

SQA celebrating Mothers Day 🤏👩‍🦰

29/04/2026

On 29 April 2026, Samoa Qualifications Authority through the Qualifications Division Team, conducted a Program Development Refresher Training for Don Bosco College and Vocational Technical Centre (DBCVTC) in Savaii, with participation from the Quality Assurance Division Team, who also facilitated a refresher session on Program Accreditation and Reaccreditation, together with key reminders on the Moderation Process.

SQA acknowledges DBCVTC for their request, as well as their active participation and cooperation throughout the training. SQA remains committed to providing ongoing support and assistance in programme development, along with any other areas of need for our PSET providers.

24/04/2026

A Warrior within the Education Sector
We will remember you Gatoloai!

Before Gatoloai joined the SQA Board of Directors in 2016, we heard stories of her achievements in education. From a teacher to reaching new heights that helped structured Samoa's education system, receiving high education awards from overseas universities and lets not forget becoming the founding Dean for the faculty of Education in the National University of Samoa (1997).
Those achievements somewhat became topics of discussions during lunch hours and tea breaks, senior staff knowing what outcomes are to be expected for board approvals.

But this morning! Talofa e, you have lived your life to the fullest lau Afioga, especially pouring your wisdom and knowledge to where your heart always has been, and that is SAMOA's EDUCATION! many will speak and have already spoke about it. Ua lailoa lau Afioga ile taumafaiga o aoaoga aemaise faiaoga mo le Atunuu.

SQA CEO, Tupa'i Peter Peilua, management and staff wishes to convey our deepest condolences to Gatoloai's family for their loss. Her leadership as chairperson for the board of directors for 6 years speaks volume of SQA success to its current state.

E ua maliliu toa, ua ma'umau aupega o le taua. Malo le toa, malo foi le tau.

Manuia lau malaga Gatoloai Tili Afamasaga.

20/04/2026

Today we bid farewell to our Board of Directors as their contract of 3 years has come to an end. Prayer Service was led by Pastor Fuimaono Lameko Talia of World Mission Training Center. Chairperson Dr Maria Talaitupu Kerslake acknowledge the support of the management and staff throughout their term here at SQA. CEO Tupa'i Peter Peilua spoke on behalf of SQA management and staff in thanking the board of directors for their leadership and stewardship that has made SQA successful in the past three years.
SQA Board Members
- Dr Maria Talaitupu Kerslake: Chairperson
- Fuimaono Pemerika Aleki: Director
- Tu'u Fu'a Lafaialii Hazelman: Director
- Jane Bentin Fiti: Director
- Leatuavao Ioane Malaki: Director

15/04/2026

Congratulations to SQAs Research, Policy and Planning Officer - Seanoa Junior Harry Leiataua in receiving his Bachelors degree from the University of Canterbury. Malo lava le tauivi Seanoa. Viia le Atua

10/04/2026

PRESS RELEASE – OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE SAMOA QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK (SQF) AND POLICIES & OTHER MILESTONES
The Samoa Qualifications Authority (SQA) officially launched the Samoa Qualifications Framework (SQF) on Friday 10 April 2026 at Taumeasina Island Resort.
The SQF is a key national tool that ensures education and training in Samoa are relevant, fit-for-purpose, and aligned with the needs of the labour market and national development. The SQF supports the development of a skilled workforce and contributes to the social and economic wellbeing of people, communities, and villages across Samoa.
The SQF also gives confidence to employers, educators, and decision-makers that qualifications awarded in Samoa meet strong quality standards and produce graduates who are ready for work.
The SQF is a translation tool that allows for international comparisons with other national systems in the Pacific region, including New Zealand and Australia. This supports regional and international standards and best practices in quality assurance.
The SQF Third Edition was reviewed in 2024, marking the first major update since 2012. Key features include:
• A 10-level qualification framework, that shows clear pathways from certificates to advanced qualifications.
• A stronger focus on the framework and policy guidelines for education providers
• Reduced emphasis on administrative processes for registering qualifications.
As learners progress through the levels, the complexity of their learning outcomes increases, reflecting higher levels of knowledge, skills, and applied abilities.
For the first time the SQF Third Edition has been translated into Samoan (Faatonufolau o Tusi Pasi ma Faailoga Taualoa a Samoa), reflecting the richness and essence of our language and cultural identity. This translation was made possible by the Samoan Language Commission.
This event also celebrated other important publications:
• Referencing Report – confirms alignment between the Samoa Qualifications Framework and the Pacific Qualifications Framework
• Statistical Bulletin 2024 – provides data on student enrolment, retention, completion, and training
• Tracer Study Report (2018-2020) – tracks graduate outcomes and employment pathways.
The SQA is part of a regional project comparing national qualifications frameworks with the Pacific Qualifications Framework. This project is funded by the Government of New Zealand in partnership with the Pacific Community (SPC). This project will compare national frameworks, including Samoa, with the Pacific Qualifications Framework and the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework.
• Phase One has been completed with Samoa’s qualifications framework successfully reference against regional standards.
• Phase Two is now underway and focuses on strengthening data systems and qualifications records. This phase is expected to be completed by 2028.
The Tracer Study Report compiles information about the academic programs offered by PSET providers and related qualifications that shape graduates' career paths. The Statistical Bulletin provides valuable data about PSET providers, including student recruitment, student retention, dropout rates, and graduation outcomes. It also includes information on the qualifications of trainers and instructors and training activities approved by the authorities.
The Honourable Minister of Education and Culture, le Afioga Aiono Alec Ekeroma acknowledged the significant work of SQA, its staff, Board of Directors and stakeholders in completing the SQF review and achieving these milestones.
He also thanked all partners and participants for their continued support and for contributing to a successful launch.

END

03/04/2026

Malo lava le onosai lau Afioga Tupai. Congratulations on your reappointment God bless!

TOFIA NISI O FA’AULUULUGA O MATĀGALUEGA A LE MĀLŌ

Tusia: Pesetā Tusiga Taofiga

Ua pāsia aloā’ia e le Kapeneta i lenei vaiaso nisi o tamāli’i e Fa’auluulu i ai nisi o Matāgaluega ma Fa’alapotopotoga Tumā’oti a le Mālō.

Mo le Matāgaluega o Ā’oga ma Aganu’u [M.E.C.] ua tofia ai le afioga iā Salāmatua Toiaivao Tautī Fa’atamāli’i Jenny Lauano, o le Ofisa Sili mo lea Matāgaluega mo le umi e tolu tausaga.

O lea tofiga ua sui tulaga ai i le afioga iā ‘Ae’au Chris Hazelman na ia tau’aveina lea tofiga i le tolu tausaga ua mavae.

Mo le Fa’alapotopotoga o Tusi Pasi ma Fa’ailoga Tauāloa a Samoa [S.Q.A.] sa se’ei ai le afioga iā Tupa’i Peter Peilua ma i le mae’a ai o le iloiloga o lea avanoa, ua toe tofia ai lenei tamāli’i mo le isi tolu tausaga.

Mo le Ofisa o le P**e Fa’atonu [Office of the Regulator], o lo’o se’ei ai le afioga i le Faletua iā Lematua Gisa Fuata’i Purcell i le Fa’auluuluga, peita’i ua talia aloā’ia e le Kapeneta, lana fa’amavaega aloā’ia ona o gasegase o le tino.

Na momoli le fa’afetai fa’apitoa a le afioga i le Palemia, Susuga i le La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polāta’ivao Fosi Schmidt i le tautua a lenei tamāli’i i tausaga e tele, o se tinā ua loa lona silafia i auaunaga tau tekonolosi fa’aneionapo.

O le tatalo a le Mālō, ia alofagia pea e le Atua lona soifua ia toe fa’afo’isia i le malosi atoatoa, a’o po’ia ai i gasegase tugā o le tino.

O lana fa’amalosi’au i Fa’auluuluga ua tofia aloā’ia i nei tofiga fou a le Mālō, ina ia fa’amaoni ma galulue ma le punoua’i, e fa’atino le tautua mo Samoa ma ona tagatānu’u auā se atunu’u manuia ma soifua fiafia.

02/04/2026

Celebrating the achievements of our fellow staff members who have contributed their time and effort in securing a bright future through their education journey. Malo lava le tauivi malo le faaeaea and congratulations once again!

26/03/2026

Last two days of SQAs Board of Directors and Managements courtesy visit in the big island

23/03/2026

Day 6 of SQAs Board of Directors and Managements courtesy visit