Whistleblower and Complaints

General Principle

WEQSC is committed to the highest standards of integrity in its own operations and in the operations of accredited schools. This page provides a mechanism for the reporting of concerns about:

• Breaches of the WEQSC framework by an accredited school;
• Examination malpractice;
• Credential fraud;
• Harm to students;
• Any other matter falling within the mandate of WEQSC.

Who May Report

Any person may report a concern to WEQSC, including:

• A candidate;
• A parent or guardian;
• A teacher or member of staff of an accredited school;
• A member of the public;
• A regulator;
• A university or employer.

How to Report

Concerns may be reported through the complaints form on the official WISE web address, or by email to:

complaints@weqsc.org

Confidentiality

WEQSC treats all reports with confidentiality. The identity of the reporter will not be disclosed without the consent of the reporter, except where disclosure is required by law or is necessary for the conduct of an investigation.

Protection Against Retaliation

WEQSC prohibits retaliation against any person who makes a report in good faith. A school that retaliates against a reporter commits a Critical Breach, and may be subject to suspension or termination.

What Happens Next

Where a report is made, WEQSC will:

• Acknowledge receipt within seven days;
• Conduct a preliminary assessment to determine whether the matter falls within its mandate and whether there is sufficient information to warrant an investigation;
• Where an investigation is warranted, conduct it in accordance with the procedure set out in the Secretariat's official bylaws;
• Notify the reporter of the outcome, to the extent permitted by confidentiality.

Cooperation

An accredited school must cooperate fully with any investigation conducted by WEQSC. Failure to cooperate is a Critical Breach, and may be subject to suspension or termination.

Reporting a Concern About WEQSC Itself

Where a concern relates to the conduct of WEQSC, its officers, or its employees, the concern should be reported to the Secretary-General of WEQSC, or, where the concern relates to the Secretary-General, to the Chair of the Council.

Breach — Consequences

A breach of any provision of this page is subject to the audit regime and, where applicable, to the suspension and termination regime set out in this section.

Conclusion

The whistleblower and complaints mechanism set out in this page ensures that any person may report a concern about the conduct of an accredited school or of WEQSC itself, and receive a fair and timely response. All whistleblower procedures not expressly set out in this portal must follow the Secretariat's official bylaws.