SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION CHARTERED SECRETARIES SOUTHERN AFRICA Page 1 of 11 (to be read in conjunction with the CSSA Accreditation Policy) The aim of the CSSA Accredited Tuition Providers Scheme, (ATP) is to establish quality standards for all CSSA tuition providers in Southern Africa and provide reassurance to students that the Institute has judged the standards offered by listed tuition providers as meeting the standards set by the Institute. In the event that these standards are not met in practice, the Institute reserves the right to investigate complaints and take any necessary action to disassociate itself from such tuition providers. The Accredited Tuition Providers Scheme is open to any tuition provider offering one or more CSSA qualifications. Accreditation is mandatory. Tuition providers who can demonstrate that they meet the Institute s quality standards and who seek accreditation will receive tangible benefits for doing so. Accredited Tuition Providers will be publicly recognized by the Institute Accredited Tuition Providers will be provided with promotional material by the Institute Accredited Tuition Providers will be provided with first hand information on Institute developments and provided with early warning of changes Accredited Tuition Providers will be included in the Institute s database of ATPs and publicised in Institute publications, magazines and website Accredited Tuition Providers can be provided with systematic feedback on their students performance, (with students permission) Accredited Tuition Providers will be able to work in partnership with the Institute. Institute standards for Accredited Tuition Providers are set across a range of quality areas. Tuition Learning support Materials produced by ATPs promotional, student support and study materials Student support Course management Facilities Tuition Accredited Tuition Providers should show a commitment to high standards by: Employing sufficient, suitably qualified teaching and support staff to run CSSA courses offered Designing and implementing a staff development programme designed to keep subject knowledge, knowledge of the Institute and teaching skills up to date. Providing students with detailed study material and continuous assessment assignments referenced to CSSA syllabus coverage. Learning support Accredited Tuition Providers may provide students with learner packs or study notes, study planners, revision packs and examination technique sessions which add value to CSSA study texts. CSSA may request a copy of any learning support materials produced by tuition providers to support CSSA courses.
Page 2 of 11 Materials All material should be accurate, comprehensive and free from subjective claims which cannot be substantiated. Student support material should provide students with comprehensive information on the tuition provider, its courses and its regulations. Full contact details and tutor availability to students should be provided for all CSSA tutors. Course specific information should provide students with full information on the course structure, lecture plans, examination arrangements and CSSA registration and examination deadlines. Student support Accredited Tuition Providers should be available and supportive to students whether tuition is face-to-face or on a distance learning basis, or a combination. Tutors should make themselves available at the end of classes or respond by e-mail to student questions within a reasonable period. Any work marked by tutors should produce prompt feedback to students. Where the tuition provider provides study notes, these should be accessible to all students and be professionally produced. A nominated CSSA course administrator should be available to deal with course queries and new enquiries. A course handbook containing contact details for course tutors and the institute, CSSA accreditation and exam entry deadlines and information, rules on enrolment, fees, attendance, student conduct and cancellation rules, complaints procedures, timetable, and information about course tutors and administrative staff and their availability to meet students should be provided. Course management Accredited Tuition Providers should have established robust procedures and control mechanisms regarding: Student attendance Student performance Provision of feedback following assessments (if applicable) Distribution and collation of student satisfaction questionnaires Complaints procedures Appeal procedures Annual course review procedures Facilities Accredited Tuition Providers should provide a suitable environment in which students can work comfortably, with access to the library and the IT facilities they require to successfully complete an CSSA programme of study. SECTION 2: BENEFITS OF ATP SCHEME Recognition by CSSA Inclusion on the CSSA ATP database accessible to students through the CSSA website and via other CSSA publications Use of the CSSA ATP logo Access to CSSA news updates via e-mail Access to your students examination results (with their permission and to comparative pass rates) Access to CSSA promotional services Free copy of Chartered Secretary magazine, Boardroom Opportunity to comment through CSSA contact(s) to decision-makers on CSSA examinations
Page 3 of 11 SECTION 3: ELIGIBILITY To be eligible to apply for Accredited Tuition Provider status, (ATP), tuition providers must offer any one or more of the following CSSA qualifications: SAQA ID Academic National Qualification Professional Learning Programme ID Learning Programme title (of the professional qualifying scheme) CSSA International Qualifying Board Examinations 50223 60153 CSSA Professional Post-Graduate Qualification: Company Secretarial and Governance Practice CSSA Programme 3 50224 60151 CSSA Professional Advanced Qualification: Governance and Administration CSSA Programme 2 50222 60149 CSSA Professional Qualification: Governance and Administration CSSA Programme 1 49126 60154 CSSA Professional Qualification: Management and Administration Institute of Business Studies (IBS) 49129 60152 IBS Professional Qualification: Management and Administration 23655 60150 IBS Professional Qualification: Business Administration SECTION 4: FEES The following fees will apply for each institution: Application fee: R5 500 (non-refundable) Annual monitoring fee: R1 650 If your application covers more than one site, all sites must meet the criteria specified in this handbook for ATPs and each individual site will be charged R500 per year. When applying for accreditation as an Accredited Tuition Provider, you must only submit payment for the initial application fee. After one year you will be invoiced for the yearly annual accreditation fee. Payment should be made to CSSA and sent with the completed application form. Banking account details are as follows: Account Name: ICSA Bank: Standard Bank Branch Code: 004805 Account Number: 002898608 SECTION 5: APPLICATION PROCESS FOR NEW APPLICANTS When submitting your application, the procedure can be processed far more quickly if the Institute is able to identify the evidence speedily. In section 6 of the ATP application form there is a list of items that you must submit with your application. It would help the assessment process if you numbered each item and provided a list that corresponds with the list of items.
Application process application form CHARTERED SECRETARIES SOUTHERN AFRICA Page 4 of 11 Tuition Providers wishing to be accredited in terms of the CSSA ATP Scheme should complete the enclosed application form and enclose any documentation requested in support of the application. Application forms are also available from the ATP section of the CSSA website at www.icsa.co.za. If you wish to discuss your application please contact jacqui@icsa.co.za. The application form contains a self-assessment section which must be completed so that we can process your application. Each institution should only make one application for all CSSA courses offered, regardless of the number of different CSSA courses offered. If your organisation operates on more than one site, please complete a selfassessment for each site and enclose a separate accreditation fee for each site. Deadlines When applying for accreditation as an CSSA Accredited Tuition Provider, the application must be received within the first year of operation. You can apply for initial accreditation at any time. Once accepted on to the ATP Scheme, you will be advised of the date of your annual review. You will be expected to complete an annual return which will update CSSA on the courses offered, student numbers and any changes you have made or are planning to make. How will my ATP application be evaluated? When CSSA receives your application, staff in the Accreditation Department will evaluate your self-assessment. We will contact you if anything is missing or if we require clarification of any point. We will contact you in writing to confirm our decision. The Accreditation staff will contact you with a view to setting up a site visit for verification of the information submitted. After receipt of verification from the Institute, you may describe your organisation as accredited under the CSSA ATP Scheme and use the ATP logo provided. How long does ATP status last? On approval, ATPs will receive an official approval letter which may include any conditions upon which the approval is based. These conditions must be complied with by the required deadline to ensure the extension of ATP status beyond the initial period stated. You will also receive an CSSA ATP certificate and access to the CSSA ATP logo for use on your stationery. You also become eligible for all of the benefits outlined earlier. You will remain accredited under the CSSA ATP Scheme as long as you: Satisfy CSSA annual monitoring procedures and meet any conditions set Pay the ATP annual fee Demonstrate best practice in your dealings with CSSA students What do I do if my application is rejected? CSSA reserves the right to reject applications where we consider that our criteria are not met. If you fall into this category, you will be advised by letter of the criteria you appear not to have met. You may re-apply after remedial action has been taken but only after a period of at least six months has elapsed to allow new procedures to bed down. Any re-applications must include a schedule of changes made since the last application and an evaluation of the effectiveness of any changes made.
Page 5 of 11 How do I renew ATP status? Each year all CSSA ATPs are required to complete an ATP annual update and submit payment of the annual fee to CSSA to renew their annual accreditation. An Annual Update form is included with this pack for information. A pack will be sent to you at the end of January and you must return the completed annual update form, supply any documentary evidence required and enclose the coming year s annual fee. It is not sufficient to simply return the fee by the deadline. You must return all elements of the pack by the required deadline to comply with CSSA s requirements for continued accreditation. Important dates End January Annual update forms and invoices sent to ATPs End March Deadline for return of annual update forms and payment of invoices 31 August Removal of tuition providers not complying with ATP Scheme from CSSA register 1 January New ATP year Monitoring of ATPs by CSSA Each year CSSA will scrutinise all annual update forms for: Evidence of compliance with conditions set by the Institute Evidence of the performance of the ATP through feedback from its customers in questionnaires, complaints and the ATP s response to these Evidence of good performance. In addition, CSSA will select a random sample of ATPs and conduct a visit. Normally, at least one month s notice will be given of visits. The visit will include: Meetings with CSSA students to gauge their response to the ATP provision Meetings with course tutors and course managers to discuss provision and any issues Scrutiny of records associated with CSSA courses, e.g. minutes of course review meetings, student feedback questionnaires and consolidated reports, complaints files, student attendance records, lecture plans, etc.
Page 6 of 11 APPENDIX 1: APPLICATION FORM AND SELF-EVALUATION CHECKLIST This form must be completed, signed, dated and submitted with your ATP application. The information provided on this form is designed to provide CSSA with the information it needs to ensure that your institution meets the Institute s requirements of the ATP scheme. We reserve the right to visit your institution to check that all of the facilities claimed are provided. Please supply documentary evidence to support your answers. APPLICATION BY TO BECOME A TUITION PROVIDER OF THE QUALIFICATIONS OF THE INSTITUTE OF BUSINESS STUDIES AND CHARTERED SECRETARIES SOUTHERN AFRICA Date of application: Criteria: Please tick where these are available and supply the necessary supporting evidence Please note that this section does NOT need to be completed by organisations seeking extension of scope. However, accreditation certificates from the other ETQA must be provided as proof. ORGANISATION INFORMATION Organisation details Contact details Accreditation as legal entity SARS accreditation Accreditation with the Department of Education Professional accreditation Vision and mission statements Primary Focus Current provider accreditation status Previous accreditation Undertaking not to seek other accreditation Organisation structure HUMAN RESOURCES PRACTICES Recruitment and selection Performance management Disciplinary procedure Grievance procedure Skills development of internal human resources OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY FINANCIAL SYSTEMS AND RESOURCES Financial system Financial viability Tax clearance Internal Audit For Institute Use Only
Page 7 of 11 QUALIFICATIONS THE INSTITUTION WISHES TO OFFER CSSA International Qualifying Board Examinations: Professional Post-Graduate Qualification: Company Secretarial and Governance Practice CSSA Programme 3: Professional Advanced Qualification: Governance and Administration CSSA Programme 2: Professional Qualification: Governance and Administration CSSA Programme 1: Professional Qualification: Management and Administration Professional Qualification: Management and Administration Professional Qualification: Business Administration Type of tuition offered Full-time Part-time Revision Distancelearning Note the following key quality indicators. The evidence must be provided with your application for a desktop review before a site visit will be arranged. Quality Indicator In place Planned this year ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY Ratios learner per facilitator / assessor Class sizes are consistent with claims made in promotional material Classrooms used for IBS/CSSA classes are comfortable and of an appropriate size with adequate desk space for individuals. Assessor per moderator Geographical spread Quality provision QMS Organisational commitment and management Administrative management Learning management and administration (provide samples from your database) Assessment Management (provide Assessment and Moderation Policy) ETD Staff Management Learnership Management Recognition of prior learning policy FACILITIES Institution offers tuition for an IBS/CSSA qualification or modules Institution has permanent premises for administration and tuition or makes appropriate provision (in the case of distance learning providers only). Tuition provider has an email address and access to CSSA s website Institution has a regularly updated website Modern presentation equipment is used EDUCATION AND TRAINING CAPACITY Administrative capacity Own educational infrastructure and physical resources Third party education and training infrastructure No plans Fir Institute Use only
Page 8 of 11 Academic staff Please give all details of staff that teach IBS/CSSA programmes. Include the modules they teach, the qualifications they hold and whether they are freelance or permanent. Please attach copies of staff CVs for all IBS/CSSA teaching. Formal education and training delivery Workplace/off-site learning procedures Practical skills training Learner support LEARNER COMMUNICATION Communication strategies are in place Communication materials provide correct information regarding qualifications etc. Communication strategies include: General learner information Career paths and options for progression Membership information Assessments/examinations Additional support available to learners Code of conduct and disciplinary actions Grievances/ Appeals Institute Rules STUDENT SUPPORT There are designated staff to deal with IBS/CSSA enquiries There is a designated CSSA course leader in post Tutors delivering CSSA course are appropriately qualified Staff meet at least annually to review IBS/CSSA course provision and results (attach evidence) A course handbook is provided to all IBS/CSSA students containing course structure, timetable, important institutional and Institute deadlines, information on facilities, information on support materials provided, contact details and availability of tutors and complaints procedure. Student feedback questionnaires are used to measure and record student feedback Tutors and students have access to up-to-date IBS/CSSA study texts Tutors and students have access to IBS/CSSA past examination papers and suggested answers (www.icsa.co.za) Tutors and students have access to a minimum of 50% of recommended reading for each IBS/CSSA module where specified Students and staff have access to the Chartered Secretary magazine, Boardroom. Formal student representation is encouraged and integrated into the institution s quality assurance procedures Issues identified by students either in questionnaires or complaints are followed up and action taken to resolve difficulties in a positive manner The institution has a formal complaints procedure in place which is transparent, consistent and fair and which results in acceptable outcomes All promotional material complies with CSSA s guidelines on promotional materials Counselling is offered at least once per course for marginal and failing students Student absences are followed up Disabled access to all facilities and support materials is available HUMAN RESOURCES
Page 9 of 11 Contingency plans are in place to cover staff absences CONTINUOUS/FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT (The Institute is responsible for Summative Assessment) Assessment & RPL - Policy, practices and process Management, review, role players Principles, instruments, access Role players competence and capacity Practice and/or mock examinations are available during the course with feedback provided MODERATION OF CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT TASKS Policy, practice and process Role players competence and capacity, management Scope, impact, instruments ADDITIONAL ITEMS The following additional items must also be included with your application for accreditation. Please tick the box to confirm that you have attached the information: For Institute Use only Copies of institution s promotional material Example of materials used for current programmes offered. Teaching programmes for each of the IBS/CSSA modules (including timetable, contact hours, lecture plans, sample lecture notes) Example of a completed student satisfaction questionnaire Any evidence of course review procedures e.g. minutes of meetings Photographs/brochure of institution showing facilities DECLARATION OF QUALITY I/we declare that the information provided is correct and accurate. I/we hereby apply for accredited status under the CSSA ATP Scheme. I/we will include a clause in our enrolment form granting the college permission to release students names and accreditation numbers to CSSA for examination results monitoring purposes. I/we agree to be bound by the terms of the CSSA ATP Scheme and accept that all decisions regarding the granting or removal of CSSA accreditation rest with CSSA. Signature: Name: Position: On behalf of: (Tuition Provider) Date: Please return completed self assessment to The Accreditation Manager, ith application form and fees payment advice. The accreditation fee is R5500 and must be paid by direct deposit/internet transfer into the following account: Account holder: CSSA Bank details: Standard Bank Branch name: Melrose Arch Branch code: 19 87 65 Account number: 00 28 98 60 8 Reference: Accreditation fees
APPENDIX 2: Appeals Form Section 1: General Information CHARTERED SECRETARIES SOUTHERN AFRICA Page 10 of 11 Kindly complete the information below: Date appeal lodged: Trading Name: Registered Name: Company Registration No: Provider Registration No: Postal Address: Postal Code: Street Address: Province: Tel No: ( ) Fax No: ( ) Contact Person: e-mail address: Cell No: Section 2: Categories of Appeal Kindly select one of the following: The Appeals Policy is applicable to any disputes resulting out of: Accreditation of providers Approval of learning programmes Monitoring & Auditing of Providers Certification of learners. Provision of accredited providers Use of the IBS/CSSA Logo Deaccreditation Section 3: Reason for appeal Please expand on the reason for appeal as per the Appeals policy Section 4: Evidence Attached in Support of Appeal Please list the document submitted for review in the Appeal Annexure A Annexure B Annexure C Annexure D
Page 11 of 11 Section 5: IBS/CSSA Use Only 5.1 Appeals Committee Name Contact Role 5.2 Method of Appeal Review Method of appeal evaluation: Date, Time and Venue Scheduled: Date Completed: Desktop Meeting Formal appeals hearing Should IBS/CSSA deem it necessary to constitute a formal appeals hearing, the Provider will be notified accordingly 5.3 Appeals Decision Appeal Upheld Appeal Failed Summary of Appeals Decision 5.4 Way Forward Actions By When Section 6: Appeals Closure IBS/CSSA Representative name: Signature: Date Applicant Representative name: Signature: Date: