Maladministration refers to improper or inefficient administration, mainly when it affects the delivery of training and qualifications. Awarding bodies actively monitor centres to ensure that no practice results in maladministration, which can potentially have damaging consequences.
Maladministration within centres is an issue that demands attention, as it can severely undermine the integrity and quality of education. It can manifest in various forms as highlighted below:
Failure to register learners. Learners have to be registered within the timescales set by the awarding body to ensure the awarding body knows them and can be supported throughout their learner journey. Most awarding bodies now charge a late registration fee to encourage timely registrations.
Mishandling of assessment materials. This might involve failing to adequately secure exam papers, leading to unauthorised access and potential breaches of confidentiality. Such lapses not only jeopardise the fairness of assessments but can also diminish trust in the awarding body’s ability to uphold standards.
Inaccurate record-keeping may result in incorrect learner data being recorded or reported. This could affect everything from a learner’s results to eligibility for certain qualifications or funding opportunities. Centres must maintain accurate records to ensure all learners receive what they rightfully deserve based on their performance.
Insufficient training of staff involved in assessment processes leads to inconsistencies and errors in assessment or quality assurance. For example, if assessors are not thoroughly briefed on new assessment criteria or changes in curriculum content, this could lead to uneven application across different cohorts.
Centres need to have a culture of transparency and accountability to ensure learners are not disadvantaged. This can be achieved by having robust policies and regular audits monitored by proactive quality assurance teams. This will ensure all policies and procedures are fit for purpose, and every learner receives a fair chance at achieving their educational goals without compromise.