No time for regulation as usual

HE and VET regulators should leave private providers alone, lobby argues

Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia says COVID-19 “is placing an unprecedented strain” on providers, who should be left alone to support students. ITECA asks regulators to, “suspend routine compliance and reporting activity.”

And lo, TEQSA delivers : the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency reminds providers it is here to help

It’s extending provider registrations and course accreditations, so providers aren’t working on their renewals. It’s also delaying reports on conditions imposed.

And the agency reminds institutions that it has relaxed the rules (February 17) on how much of an on-campus course international students here can study on-line. Good of it, given there isn’t a campus in the country teaching live and in-person.

But if you think TEQSA is going to leave everybody alone you are really dreaming on the Kerrigan-Scale. “Please be assured that we will engage directly with you over the next few weeks to discuss and develop options relevant to your context and cycle of regulatory assessments,” acting CEO Nick Saunders says.