Chapter 6: The Philippine Qualifications Framework

What is the Philippine Qualifications Framework (PQF)?

The PQF describes the levels of educational qualifications and sets the standards for qualification
outcomes. It is a quality assured national system for the development, recognition and award of
qualifications based on standards of knowledge, skills and values acquired in different ways and
methods by learners and workers of the country.

Domains and Descriptors

The PQF has eight (8) Levels of qualifications differentiated by descriptors of expected learning
outcomes along the three domains: knowledge, skills and values; application; and degree of
independence. The PQF 8-level framework with Senior High School as the foundation of the 8 levels. It
has sub-frameworks in separate subsystems of the education and training system. For example, the
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) subsystem covers National Certificates
(NC) I through IV corresponding to the first four levels while the Commission on Higher Education
Subsystem covers Baccalaureate, Postgraduate Diploma, Masters, and Doctorate that correspond to
Levels 6 to 8. The two Sub-systems interface in the provision of diploma programs at level 5.

Qualification Knowledge, Skills and

Level Application Degree of Independence
Type Values

Possess functional
knowledge across a range
of learning areas
and technical skills in
chosen career tracks with
advanced competencies in
communication; scientific, Apply functional knowledge, technical skills
critical and creative and values in academic and real-life Apply skills in varied
Grade thinking; and the use of situations through sound reasoning, situations
12 technologies. informed decision-making, and the with minimal supervision.
Have an understanding of judicious use of resources.
right and wrong; one's
history and cultural
heritage; and deep respect
for self, others and their
culture, and the
environment.

National Applied in activities that are set in a limited In conditions where there
I Knowledge and skills that
Certificate I range of highly familiar and predictable is very close support,
are manual or concrete
contexts; involve straightforward, routine guidance or supervision;
or
 Qualification Knowledge, Skills and
Level
Type Values
practical and/or
operational in focus.
Knowledge and skills
that are manual,
National
II practical and/or
Certificate II
operational in focus with
a variety of options.
Knowledge and skill that
are a balance of
theoretical and/or
technical and practical.
Work involves
National understanding the work
III
Certificate III process, contributing to
problem solving, and
making decisions to
determine the process,
equipment and materials
to be used.
Knowledge and skill that
are mainly theoretical
and/or abstract with
significant depth in one or
more areas; contributing
National to technical solutions of a
IV
Certificate IV non-routine or
contingency nature;
evaluation and analysis of
current practices and the
development of new
criteria and procedures.
Knowledge and skill that
are mainly theoretical
and/or abstract with
V Diploma
significant depth in some
areas together with wide-
ranging, specialized
Application Degree of Independence
issues which are addressed by following minimum judgment or
set rules, guidelines or procedures. discretion is needed.
Applied in activities that are set in a range
In conditions where there
of familiar predictable context; involve
is substantial support,
routine issues which are identified and
guidance or supervision;
addressed by selecting from and following
limited judgment or
a number of set rules, guidelines or
discretion is needed.
procedures.
Application at this level
may involve individual
Applied in activities that are set in contexts
responsibility or
with some unfamiliar or unpredictable
autonomy, and/or may
aspects; involve routine and non-routine
involve some
issues which are identified and addressed
responsibility for others.
by interpreting and/or applying established
Participation in teams
guidelines or procedures with some
including team or group
variations.
coordination may be
involved.
Applied in activities that are set in a range
of contexts, most of which involve a
Work involve some
number of unfamiliar and/or
leadership and guidance
unpredictable aspects; involve largely
when organizing activities
non-routine
of self and others.
issues which are addressed using
guidelines or procedures which
require interpretation and/or
adaptation.
In conditions where there
Applied in activities that are supervisory, is broad guidance and
complex and non-routine which require an direction, where
extensive interpretation and/or judgment is required in
adaptation/ innovation. planning and selecting
appropriate equipment,
 Qualification Knowledge, Skills and
Level
Type Values
technical, creative and
conceptual skills. Perform
work
activities demonstrating
breadth, depth and
complexity in the planning
and initiation of
alternative approaches to
skill and knowledge
applications across a
broad range of technical
and/or management
requirements, evaluation
and coordination.
Demonstrated broad and
coherent knowledge and Application in professional/creative work
Baccalaureate
VI skills in their field of or research in a specialized field of
Degree
study for professional discipline and/or further study.
work and lifelong
learning.*
Demonstrated advanced
knowledge and skills in a
Post- specialized or multi-
VII Baccalaureate disciplinary field of study
Program for professional practice,
self-directed research
and/or lifelong
learning.*
Demonstrated highly
advanced systematic
knowledge and skills in
Doctoral highly specialized and/or
Degree and complex multi-disciplinary
VIII
Post-Doctoral field of learning for
Programs complex research and/or
professional practice
and/or for the
advancement of learning.*
Application Degree of Independence
services and techniques
for self and other.
Undertake work involving
participation in the
development of strategic
initiatives, as well as
personal responsibility
and autonomy in
performing complex
technical operations or
organizing others.
Substantial degree of
independence and or/in
teams of related fields
with minimal supervision.
High substantial degree
of independence that
Applied in professional/creative work or
involves exercise of
research that requires self-direction
leadership and initiative
and/or leadership in a specialized or multi-
individual work or in
disciplinary professional work/research.
teams of multi-
disciplinary field.
Full independence in
individual work and/or in
teams of multi-
disciplinary and more
Applied for professional leadership for complex setting that
innovation, research and/or development demands leadership for
management in highly specialized or multi- research and creativity
disciplinary field. for strategic value
added. Significant level
of expertise-based
autonomy and
accountability.