The Partners in Learning Scheme recognises the shared relationship and mutual interest that we hold in the development of students and the delivery of professional qualifications and training programmes. It ensures that training organisations have access to ICAG to help them to deliver effective tuition and promoting consistently high quality training. By working together and communicating openly, students will benefit as they embark on their future careers.

Because of the number of training organisations and the early stage of development, the scheme was introduced in two stages. Firstly a registration scheme started on 1st January 2017. This simply was to create a link between ICAG and the trainers so that lines of communication can be opened up. In order to register you will need to complete an application form indicating the courses that you will be running. You will also have to confirm that you will comply with the core principles of the scheme. The core principles are detailed in this document.

The second stage that will be introduced in late 2017 where an element of grading to differentiate between the various tuition organisations will be introduced. (see section 4 below).

ICAG sees a number of benefits that will spring from this scheme. It will help:

  • To drive up standards by providing transparent information about tuition providers.
  • To assist students (and employers) to choose the right tuition provider for themselves.
  • To have a formal means of communication with tuition providers so that general educational standards can be improved and to assist in the control of all tuition providers.
  • To assist tuition providers by providing a central information depository about the tuition and facilities available.
  • To offer a service to students that is provided by a number of foreign competitor bodies.

One of the key benefits of the Scheme will be your organisation having closer contact with ICAG. As a Partner in Learning you will receive the following benefits:

  • Library copies of learning materials (These are for your benefit and should not be used for distribution to students).
  • Invitation to ICAG student and trainer events.
  • A PiL certificate for your training centre as recognition of your status.
  • The opportunity to advertise on the recognised Partners in Learning list on our website
  • Access to a dedicated manager at ICAG.
  • Access to our student and member magazines and marketing materials.
  • Access to a student results list as they are published.

Registration

General
You will be able to register your organisation with ICAG for the Partners in Learning Scheme using the Application Form included in this brochure and the information that you provide will be included on the Partners in Learning section of the ICAG website. This will be prominently advertised in the student section of the ICAG web site.

Core Principles
In order to register you must confirm that your organisation complies with a number of core principles. These are outlined on page 5 of this document and should be read in conjunction with the best practice indicators in Annex 1.

Key ICAG contacts
Mr Alhassan Yusif Trawule – [email protected]

Your data: The data that ICAG wishes you to include needs to be returned on the Application form will include:

  • The name of your organisation.
  • The location of classes.
  • Courses run (Full time, part time and various levels).
  • List of Lecturers
  • Contact details and a tab to connect to your web site.
  • A brief summary of the courses you run and why a student might choose you as a tuition provider (maximum 200 words).

This general registration scheme will only operate for one year to 31 December 2017. From that date you will be categorised as either a Bronze or Silver PiL.

Please note: failure to comply with the ICAG core principles will result in immediate termination from registration.

Click here to download Partners In Leaning Brochure

Grading

General
From mid-2017 ICAG will extend the registration scheme to a formal grading scheme where colleges will be able to apply to be graded as Bronze or Silver from January 2018.

From January 2019 a further category of Gold will be added.

All Colleges will be expected to continue to comply with the Core Principles as laid out in page 5. Silver or Gold graded colleges will be based on the quality of the courses offered. The grading will be based on a large number of factors indicative examples of which you will find in Annex 2.

All registered tuition providers will be expected to comply with the core principles at all times.

Core Principles

All registered tuition providers are expected to comply with the following core principles:

  1. Courses are developed and continually monitored to meet market and stakeholder needs, based on appropriate research.
  2. Courses are realistic and deliverable, and are presented by experienced, appropriately qualified tutors.
  3. Courses are delivered in compliance with all Ghanaian laws and regulations.
  4. Regular, open communication is maintained with ICAG and all stakeholders.
  5. The PiL must endeavor to ensure that all students have purchased or have access to a copy of the official ICAG learning materials.
  6. Tutorial staff undertake continuing professional development (CPD), and their development needs are reviewed regularly.

Best practice indicators
Best Practice Indicators provide guidance on how your organisation will satisfy the Core Principles. They can be found in Annex 1.

How to apply
From 1st July 2017 you will be able to register your organisation with ICAG for the Partners in Learning scheme Bronze or silver grading. You should register using the form enclosed in this booklet and the information that you provide will be included on the Partners in Learning section of the ICAG web site. This will be prominently advertised in the student section of the ICAG web site.

Key ICAG contacts

Mr Alhassan Trawule – [email protected]

Grading Status

Bronze status
To achieve Bronze status from 1st January 2018 your organisation must satisfy all of the core principles laid out above. Where you have a number of different sites operating each location will have to satisfy the core principles.

Silver status
To achieve silver status (also available from 1st January 2018) your College must achieve the core principles and the key additional features identified in the table in Annexe 2.

Gold status
Gold status will only be available from 1st January 2019 and to achieve Gold status you must achieve the core principles plus the additional features identified in Annexe 2.

Note: ICAG reserves the right to reduce or withdraw your grading status if the circumstances of your College change. We will of course talk to you about this before.

Annex 1: Best Practice Indicators

The best practice indicators are designed to provide guidance on how an organisation may meet the core principles. The best practice indicators relevant to your organisation may vary depending on the courses offered and the method of course delivery.

The headings below reflect the different elements of course delivery. The best practice indicators that follow are grouped according to their relevance at each stage.

1. Status of tuition provider:

a.    The premises comply with all relevant local health and safety
b.    Requirements, in addition to any other applicable Ghanaian legislation.
c.    The premises are secure and in a safe location (e.g. reasonable precautions taken against theft) and are easily accessible.
d.    Presentation equipment is appropriate for the size of the room and is suitable for the content of classroom material.
e.    Student numbers are appropriate for the size of the room, and facilities provided ensure a reasonable level of comfort for students.
f.    All tutorial staff hold an appropriate qualification.
g.    All tutorial staff comply with relevant CPD requirements and ethical guidelines.
h.    All tutorial staff have access to an ongoing training programme
i.    To ensure that they are fully up to date in their particular field, to a level that allows them to deliver training effectively.
j.    The organisation demonstrates financial stability.
k.    The organisation has experience in delivering professional education.
l.    The organisation treats all employees and job applicants fairly and equally regardless of their age, disability, marriage, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, social or educational backgrounds.

2. Developing a tuition provider:

a.    Market research must be undertaken in each locality. The tuition offered must be tailored to suit the needs of the local market. This may include offering day, evening, weekend or distance learning courses, for example.
b.    Each exam subject is assigned to a specific member of the tutorial staff. These tutors are responsible for producing detailed teaching plans and providing training to fellow tutors on the most effective teaching methods for their particular subject area.
c.    All promotional material complies with local standards, laws and ICAG guidelines and ethical principles. Promotional material for ICAG courses must be submitted to ICAG on request.
d.    The website (if you have one) includes full details of course offerings and is kept up to date.

3. Developing a tuition programme:

a.    Contact details of students and employers are recorded and kept up to date. The information is stored securely, and its use complies with Ghanaian legislation on data protection.
b.    Clear, appropriate joining instructions are sent to students before each course. Joining instructions include contact details and a map for the centre.
c.    Students are given clear instructions and guidance (as appropriate) about the exact location of the course upon arrival.
d.    Students have contact details of tutors and appropriate administration staff, and have a designated point of contact for support with studies or queries about the administration of the course.
e.    Any reasonable requests from employers to meet students or tutors at the premises are accommodated where possible.
f.    Student attendance is recorded on a daily basis and available to the employer / ICAG upon request.
g.    Student performance reports are available to the employer upon request.
h.    A minimum of two weeks’ notice must be given for any cancellations or changes to timetables. Students and employers must be contacted to ensure that an appropriate alternative course has been offered.
i.    Courses that have started must not be cancelled, unless acceptable alternatives are offered.
j.    Each student has access to ICAG learning materials for each relevant course.
k.    Use of any non-ICAG material in the classroom is kept to a minimum and any such material must not be promoted as official ICAG material. Access to any classroom material created by the tuition provider must be supplied to ICAG on request.
l.    Progress tests and course exams are marked and returned to students within 20 working days of receipt.
m.    Feedback is sought from students on a regular basis regarding the service and tuition they receive; such feedback is made available to ICAG on request. Any relevant points must be followed up within 10 working days.

4. Assessment:

a.    Students are reminded to submit their exam application before the appropriate deadline.
b.    Final mock exams are marked and returned to students before the date of the real exam.
c.    Tutorial staff recommend that students seek advice from ICAG if they have any issues with the exams, for example, where alternative arrangements are required.
d.    Pass rates are consistent from session to session and are consistent with ICAG pass rates, unless the calibre of the students varies significantly.
e.    If there are significant variations in pass rates, these variations must be investigated. Where there is a negative variation, appropriate action is taken, such as tutor development.

5. Working with ICAG:

a.    An appropriate senior member of the tutorial staff is nominated as the main point of contact with ICAG for the organization. This person monitors the tutor area of the ICAG website and other relevant sources. They ensure that all relevant staff are kept informed of changes or issues affecting course content and delivery and must be identified to the students as a point of contact for any issues or concerns.
b.    An appropriate senior tutorial staff member must attend meetings with ICAG when required, and ensure that any relevant information is circulated within the organisation to the appropriate staff.
c.    Requests for visits from ICAG staff are accommodated wherever possible. A list of tutorial staff at each centre is provided to ICAG upon request, to ensure they have access to the tutor website and are included on relevant mailing lists.
d.    An official ICAG questionnaire is distributed to students on request.
e.    Copies of ICAG student material are available in the premises.
f.    Feedback about learning materials is provided to ICAG on request.
g.    Feedback on the exams is provided within one week of the exam sitting.
h.    Feedback on the exam solutions is provided within two weeks of the date of publication.
i.    Submission of a List of Students who have registered for the forth coming examinations. The List should include a student’s registered number, and subject(s) registered for exams at each level.

Annex 2: Silver and Gold Status

The following are indicative of the standards that ICAG will look for in order for your centre to achieve silver or gold status from January 1st 2018 and 2019 respectively. Your organisation will not have to achieve all criteria to be graded silver or gold but must achieve the majority.

CoursesSilverGold
The tuition provider offers courses as followsA full range of level 1 and 2 courses at least once a yearThe centre offers level 1, 2 and 3 courses at both sittings
Revision CoursesAvailable for all level 1 and level 2 courses at least once a yearAvailable for all level 1, 2 and 3 courses at both sittings
Progress Tests and mock exams returnedWithin 10 days of being satWithin 7 days of being sat
Student feedbackIs sought and acted upon for all coursesIs sought and acted upon for all courses. And is properly documented
   
Lecturing staff  
QualificationsMore than 75% teaching staff are ICAG or IFAC qualified (excluding specialist subjects e.g. Law or IT)More than 90% teaching staff are ICAG or IFAC qualified (excluding specialist subjects e.g. Law or IT)
Teaching Experience and employment arrangementsThere will always be a range of teaching experience within the team as new tutors are brought on.As for silver… i.e. at least 5 years teaching experience but in addition more than 40% of the teaching staff are full time employed
Tutorial CPDAverage teaching experience of the team should be at least 2 years
To comply with ICAG requirements for all members
To comply with ICAG requirements for all members and evidence of tutorial attendance at relevant courses for subjects taught.
   
Tuition Center  
The centreBuilding of adequate qualityAs for silver but providing easy access for many students
Student FacilitiesSome element of student recreational facilitiesStudent common room/ Student restaurant/ Exceptionally students living accommodation.
Average Class sizeUnder 75Under 45.
Air Conditioning / FansFans are workingGood quality functioning air conditioning.
DesksGood quality school style desks and chairsGood quality conference style desks and chairs.
Good space ratio.
Sight Lines to screen and WhiteboardReasonable with columns creating some disruptionExcellent full sight lines to screen.
White BoardsIn every teaching roomIn every room
Data ProjectorsShould have at least one projectorIn every room
   
Results  
 Average pass rates on a paper by paper basis in excess 10% of averageAverage pass rates on a paper by paper basis at least 20% in excess of average

Partner in Learning: Registration

Tuition provider declaration

To apply for recognition as an ICAG Partner in Learning please:
1.    tick the box below to confirm that you have read and understood the PIL T&C’s found in The Partners in Learning brochure.
2.    Tick the boxes below to confirm that you comply with the core principles

Please note that by agreeing to these T&C’s you are also confirming that your organization complies with the Core Principles set out within this application. By applying you confirm that your organization agrees to an inspection visit.

Applications from new providers must include a business case which demonstrates examples of compliance with each best practice indicator and core principle, for existing courses where available as well as for planned courses. You must also provide details of marketing plans and the intended course structure.

Once your application is received, we will respond within 15 working days. We may arrange a visit to your premises so that you can demonstrate how your organization meets each principle and indicator.

Click here to complete registration