NATIONAL QUALIFICATION FRAMEWORK Nadezda Uzelac Ministry of Education

NATIONAL QUALIFICATION FRAMEWORK Nadezda Uzelac Ministry of Education and Science Republic of Macedonia 9/9/2020 Republic of Macedonia - Ministry of Education and Science 1

The Legal framework: n Law on Higher Education (2000) and the Law on Amending to the Law on Higher Education (2003){1} created a legal framework for a systematic changes in the structure of the higher education, based on three cycles. n {1}“The Official Gazette of the Republic of Macedonia” No: 64/2000 and 49/2003. 9/9/2020 Republic of Macedonia - Ministry of Education and Science 2

The Legal framework: n Law on Primary Education; n Law on Secondary Education; n Law on Vocational Education and Training (2006); n Law on Science; n Law on establishing the National Agency for the European Educational Programs and Mobility. n Law on National Classification of Activities Professions. 9/9/2020 Republic of Macedonia - Ministry of Education and Science 3

Macedonia has introduced two new internationally recognized degrees, the Bachelor’s and the Master’s to: n Enhance the international compatibility of Macedonian qualifications; n Increase student mobility; n Make the country's study programs more attractive to foreign students; n Increase employability of Macedonians. Lots of the new degree programs, in the experimental stages. 9/9/2020 Republic of Macedonia - Ministry of Education and Science 4

Some development of study programs and methods: n Serious measures are taken in a way of revising the curricula and programs within the higher education by enhancing the concept of learning outcomes. n Student-oriented structures in the academic curricula enhance the concept of lifelong learning, the issue of key competences is discussed…. 9/9/2020 Republic of Macedonia - Ministry of Education and Science 5

Actual situation: n Absence of an “Overarching Qualification n n Framework”; Absence of legislative framework – related to the issue of qualifications framework; New occupations and qualification - standards not successful enough; Structural inconsistencies of the labor market; Mobility of students and stuff - limited; Employability opportunities – no development. 9/9/2020 Republic of Macedonia - Ministry of Education and Science 6

Qualifications Framework - two situations: n In the context of the Bologna Process - the importance of ensuring complementarities between the framework for the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) and the proposed European Qualification Framework (EQF); n Within the country: a huge difference between degrees in terms of admission requirements, content, learning objectives and function, the rights they confer. 9/9/2020 Republic of Macedonia - Ministry of Education and Science 7

National qualifications: n The Government of Macedonia has been established the national classification of the professions and vocations with standardized titles and codes with the groups based on ISCO/88 (international standardized classification of professions), and ISCED 1997 (partly). The names of qualifications obtained after completing the higher education are noted undergraduate/postgraduate studies. n The National Classifications of Professions/Vocations issued one year later, in 2002 incorporate some changes occurred within the structure of the labor force and new conditions in the market economy. n Attempt for harmonizing with the international norms and standards and providing comparable dates with the EU countries. 9/9/2020 Republic of Macedonia - Ministry of Education and Science 8

National qualifications: n Professions are divided to groups at 4 levels: 1. General group: 10 vocations/professions; 2. Subgroup: 28 vocations/professions; 3. 403 unique groups of vocations/professions; 4. Separated vocations/professions. 9/9/2020 Republic of Macedonia - Ministry of Education and Science 9

National qualifications: Classification of Scientific (researching) fields, profiles (disciplines), - within the “Tempus” project (2001); n Categorization of scientific, developing and creative activities (professions) in higher education and scientific institutions in Macedonia: n Three levels: 1. 6 groups of scientific fields; 2. 88 scientific fields; 3. 960 Scientific disciplines (profiles). n 9/9/2020 Republic of Macedonia - Ministry of Education and Science 10

Strategy: n In line with the common documents (Bologna Process, EU); n A national Working Group – increasing number of partners – n n n chambers, agencies… Legislation; QF principles: LLL, recognition of informal learning, quality assurance mechanisms, credit accumulation and transfer; Interpretation of national qualifications levels in terms of learning outcomes - used as a basis for classifying and describing levels; Quality assurance approach - major concern – to be able to guarantee transparency and mutual trust; Descriptors: Dublin descriptors; The referencing of levels and self-certification procedures and standards. 9/9/2020 Republic of Macedonia - Ministry of Education and Science 11

Main Features of the Macedonian NQF: n n 1. 2. 3. 4. 9/9/2020 8 levels defined trough learning outcomes – knowledge, skills and competence; Macedonian NQF aim at making levels explicit and provide transparency for access, transfer and progress, as well as: Facilitate comparability and compatibility – recognition; Focus on learning outcomes by respecting all forms of learning: (Formal, Non-Formal, Informal); Support LLL by integrating separate education and training system; Facilitate mobility; Improve employers ability to judge profile and relevance of qualification; Improve employability. Republic of Macedonia - Ministry of Education and Science 12

Conclusions: The qualifications from the Macedonian NQF will be linked to the 1997 Lisbon Convention on the Recognition of Higher Education in Europe, and be in line with other transparency mechanisms, including ECTS and Diploma Supplement; It is to be expected that this will result into a higher level of transparency and comparability of qualifications. 9/9/2020 Republic of Macedonia - Ministry of Education and Science 13

Figure E 1: The situation regarding the adoption of national qualifications frameworks including higher education, 2006/07 Source: Euridice * Macedonia: An NQF should be in place by 2009/10. 9/9/2020 Republic of Macedonia - Ministry of Education and Science 14