8.1 Under the PCS, every position will have a specific job description which wil detail the minimum requirements for that position, i.e.

• the minimum educational qualification required
• training required for the position
• length and type of practical experience required
• any other specific position requirements such as language skills

This information will be used to determine training and development needs in order to design appropriate training programmes for civil servants within a particular functional area. Therefore such opportunities will in future be more focused on the needs of the position.

8.2 What does shared responsibility mean?
It means that government on its part will provide opportunities which may range from scholarships (full and partial), study leave, increasing access to continuing education through introduction of new modes of delivery (e.g. distance education). Civil servants should on their part be clear about their aspirations and be willing to support their career development by taking action (such as financial responsibility) for their own education and development.

8.3 What are the opportunities provided by the gov’t for Civil Servants to upgrade their qualification?

• 36 months study leave with pay and benefits (when course is relevant to job)
• Increasing opportunities for CE through introduction of various modes of study.
• Scholarship – full and partial
• Establishing a Qualification framework for recognizing various qualifications

8.4 What does merit mean and how is it applied?
Merit is applied in the selection process. It is defined as the following:

Performance on the job

Relevance of the course to the position held

Rural posting (10% bonus)

Weightage of marks for the academic performance from the most recent qualifications and entrance common examination

Performance in written examination and/or viva voce

It means that as long as a person meets the minimum eligibility criteria he/she can compete for a scholarship based on above merit. Marks will be awarded for each of the above merit principle and the scholarship will be awarded to highest scorer.

8.5 How can I upgrade my qualification without resources from the gov’t especially since I do not have the means to support my studies?
It is important to note that the Gov’t will not be in a position to provide scholarships for ALL civil servants aspiring to upgrade their qualification. (no gov’t can) The RGOB will provide merit scholarships but these will be limited and very competitive. Eligible candidates can apply and compete for these scholarships. Scholarships are not the only opportunity the gov’t provides. There are other opportunities such as study leave, introducing various modes of Continuing Education such as distance learning etc. There are soft loans for Education available from NPPF and other financial institutions. Employees with limited resources could explore all these options.

8.6 How will RCSC ensure that the right person is nominated for the right training?
The Agency will be responsible and accountable for the nomination since they are in the best position to make the decision. However, if there is a lapse on the part of the Agency in making a nomination that is inappropriate, the RCSC reserves the right to revoke the approval. The Agency and the individual (if it has been found that the nomination was individually driven) will be reflected in the 'Negative list'. Depending on the circumstances the individual will have to refund the expenditure. OR The RCSC will closely monitor implementation of training.

8.7 How will RCSC ensure that employees are given equal opportunity to compete for training?
The term equal opportunity applies to a situation where every person who meets the eligibility criteria for training is given an opportunity to apply for the training. The Agency will be responsible and accountable for promoting a merit based system thus ensuring that a person is not deprived. The RCSC will monitor closely for uniform application of the system across all sectors.

8.8 How are resources for training going to be distributed across agencies?
It has been recommended to the gov’t that each agency will be required to keep a certain portion of their budget for their HRD requirements. (Subject to approval by Ministry of Finance). The Agency would have to prioritize training needs in accordance with budget.

8.9 Where can we upgrade our qualification given that there are limited facilities in country?
It will take sometime for us to meet all our educational requirements internally and till such time we will have to resort to combinations of options such as distance education etc. Also, remember that training and skills can also be acquired through other channels such as on-the-job training, mentoring, coaching, self-taught etc.

8.10 Will my position be protected if I go for long term training?
Position will be protected for employees who are given study leave with pay.

8.11 Why aren’t civil servants not eligible for training during probation?
Because during probation, they are not confirmed as civil servant. The probation time is a period of observation and an opportunity for the person to perform and demonstrate that he is capable and can contribute to the organization. The organization should invest in the person’s training only after they are satisfied that this person is right for the job and is worth investing in.

8.12 Why do we have to serve three years to avail a long term training?
Three years is considered as minimum period for employees to gain meaningful work experience and understand the organization and contribute to its development. Further studies becomes more meaningful when someone has work experience.

8.13 Why are study tours/workshops considered as formal training?

• Because they involve learning - whether through observation or participation - thus enhancing one’s knowledge and skills which is considered as part of training.
• Some study tours and workshops are of longer duration than actual formal training durations;
• Some sectors in the past started misusing study tours/workshops through nomination of irrelevant junior staffs based on personal relations.

8.14 Why does RCSC/gov’t not sponsor Bachelors degree?
The Gov’t indirectly sponsors bachelors course by providing study leave with pay (when course is relevant). Full sponsorship is not feasible because of the long duration and high cost involved

8.15 How does PCS differentiate qualifications to reward the one who posses it e.g. BSc. Nursing & B.Sc. Lab Technology – 3 years degree, Engineering – 4 years degree, medicine 4 -5 years on average, which today placed in the same grade?
The PCS evaluates each position for the value of the work a person has to perform in the position and the position level is then assigned based on that job value. A nurse and an engineer may therefore be placed in the same position level if the value of the work they perform are equal irrespective of the time it takes to get the qualification.

8.16 Will PCS allow people to pursue master’s degree without having acquired bachelors degree?
It depends. Generally, to pursue Master’s one would require a Bachelors- however, there are universities that accept candidates who may not have a formal qualification considering that they have worked for a number of years and their achievement during those years. This is the Universities prerogative. Similarly, the employing agency would have it’s prerogative as to whether such degree can be recognized. Most countries have national qualifications bodies that establish standards and equivalencies. If the degree acquired does not meet the standards then it may not be recognized (or it may only be considered equivalent to a PG diploma).

8.17 Will consideration be given for employees with PG Diploma (without first degree) when applying Masters scholarship offered by RGoB? / In addition to a Bachelors degree if I possess as a PG Diploma/Certificate, will it be given extra weightage for scholarships?
For RGoB scholarships the minimum academic requirement to pursue Masters is stated as Bachelors and therefore PG Diplomas will not be considered. Only the stated minimum qualification will be taken into account for academic weightage. However, if you also undergone a PG diploma/Certificate in addition to your Bachelors degree, you should be able to perform better in the selection test/interview with your additional qualifications.

8.18 Will the qualification acquired from private institutes in the country be recognized?
Yes, if the courses offered by the institutes meet the standards set by the relevant authorities.

8.19 Will correspondence courses be recognized for taking the common examinations or entry into the PCS or promotion?
The RCSC is working with relevant authorities to establish a National Qualification framework which set standards/mechanisms to recognize qualifications and/or establish equivalencies amongst qualifications.

8.20 What is the Management Development Program and when will it be introduced?
The Management Development Program (MDP) is a “program to develop Management and Leadership competencies at various levels”. It is aimed at creating Management Excellence and enhancing Performance and Professionalism in line with the PCS. A Task Force is working on developing the MDP Framework and courses which will be presented to the Government for its approval by October 2006.

8.21 Different stipend paid for different countries?
Because standard of living is different. Also the stipend is based on what the Gov’t pays and in the absence – what the university recommends.