Part IV — Financial Framework
Chapter 18 — National-Level Elite Support
18
National-Level Elite Support
A student who represents their country in sport, co-curricular
activity, or academic competition has demonstrated exceptional
ability and commitment. WEQSC provides such students with a
comprehensive support package that goes well beyond Bonus Marks.
The Elite Support Tier comprises devices, connectivity,
transportation, a monthly stipend, and additional support on
request. WEQSC is not merely a credentialing body; it is also a
support ecosystem for students whose achievement warrants it.
18.1 General Principle
18.1.1
The Elite Support Tier is a comprehensive package of support
provided to students who represent their country at national
or international level. It is awarded in recognition of
exceptional achievement, and to ensure that the practical
circumstances of such students do not become a barrier to
their continued development.
18.1.2
The Elite Support Tier is awarded in addition to National
Level Bonus Marks under Chapter 17. It is not an alternative
to those Bonus Marks.
18.1.3
The support provided under this chapter is discretionary as
to its composition. WEQSC determines the specific items,
amounts, and duration of support for each recipient, in
accordance with the eligibility bands and framework
provisions in this chapter.
18.1.4
Nothing in this chapter displaces the requirement that the
recipient continue to satisfy the attendance requirement under
Chapter 13, the examination rules, and the general obligations
of a student under this Framework.
18.2 Eligibility
18.2.1
A student is eligible for the Elite Support Tier where the
student represents their country in one or more of the
following:
- International sport: Competition at the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, World Championships, or comparable international competition, having been selected through the competent national authority;
- National sport leading to international selection: Representation at a national-level sports competition where selection to an international event is at stake, subject to confirmation by the competent national sports authority;
- National or international co-curricular activity: Representation in debate, public speaking, music, arts, or similar activity at national or international level, organised or recognised by the competent authority;
- National academic competition: Representation in a nationally recognised academic competition or olympiad, including but not limited to science olympiad, mathematics olympiad, or equivalent academic competition organised by a recognised national body.
18.2.2
Eligibility for the Elite Support Tier is determined by WEQSC
on application by the School, supported by the documentation
specified in Section 17.6 for National Level claims.
18.2.3
A student may apply for the Elite Support Tier at any time
during the Academic Session. The application is submitted
by the School through the Portal.
18.2.4
A student who qualifies for the Elite Support Tier in one
Academic Session is not required to reapply in subsequent
Academic Sessions, provided the student remains enrolled in
an affiliated class and continues to satisfy the eligibility
criterion of representing their country.
18.3 The Support Package
18.3.1
The Elite Support Tier comprises the following components:
- Technology and device provision;
- Connectivity and internet access;
- Transportation support;
- A monthly stipend;
- Additional support on request, at WEQSC's discretion.
18.3.2
The specific composition of the package is determined by
WEQSC for each recipient, in accordance with the provisions
of Sections 18.4 through 18.8.
18.4 Technology and Devices
18.4.1
A recipient of the Elite Support Tier is entitled to receive
a package of technology devices, comprising one or more of
the following:
| Device |
Specification |
Indicative Value (USD) |
| Laptop or Desktop |
High-performance device suitable for study, training analysis, or competition preparation; may be a gaming laptop or workstation where appropriate |
up to 1,000 |
| Smartphone |
Current-generation flagship device, or entry-level device where the student's circumstances warrant |
up to 600 |
| Tablet or iPad |
For study, content consumption, and competition preparation |
up to 400 |
| E-Reader (Kindle or equivalent) |
For reading digital textbooks and literature |
up to 200 |
18.4.2
WEQSC determines which devices are provided to a given
recipient, having regard to the student's activity, the
requirements of that activity, and the student's existing
provision.
18.4.3
Devices provided under this section become the property of
the student. They are not the property of the School and are
not returned to WEQSC.
18.4.4
Where a device is lost, stolen, or irreparably damaged through
no fault of the student, the student may apply for a
replacement. Replacement is at WEQSC's discretion, having
regard to the circumstances.
18.4.5
Devices are delivered by WEQSC to the School, which delivers
them to the student. The School must confirm delivery in the
Portal within thirty days of receipt.
18.5 Connectivity and Internet Access
18.5.1
A recipient of the Elite Support Tier is entitled to a
connectivity support package, ordinarily provided as a
prepaid data plan or an internet card, sufficient for the
student's study, training, and communication needs.
18.5.2
The connectivity support is ordinarily provided as a
recurring monthly provision, and remains in effect until the
student completes Class 12, or until the student ceases to
be enrolled in an affiliated class, whichever is earlier.
18.5.3
The provision of connectivity support is subject to the
availability of suitable service in the student's location.
Where connectivity support cannot be provided effectively,
WEQSC may substitute an equivalent benefit.
18.5.4
Connectivity support under this section is personal to the
student and may not be transferred, sold, or shared.
18.6 Transportation Support
18.6.1
Where the student's circumstances warrant, a recipient of
the Elite Support Tier is entitled to transportation support,
ordinarily provided in the form of an electric scooter or
equivalent low-cost personal transport.
18.6.2
The provision of transportation support is determined by
WEQSC, having regard to:
- The distance between the student's residence and the School or training facility;
- The availability of alternative transport;
- The safety of the route; and
- Any legal restriction in the jurisdiction on the operation of the proposed vehicle by a person of the student's age.
18.6.3
Where the student is below the legal age for the operation
of a motorised scooter in the jurisdiction, WEQSC may
substitute a bicycle, a public transport allowance, or
another transport solution.
18.6.4
A vehicle provided under this section becomes the property
of the student or, where the student is a minor, of the
student's parent or guardian.
18.7 Monthly Stipend
18.7.1
A recipient of the Elite Support Tier is entitled to a
monthly stipend, paid during the Academic Session.
18.7.2
The stipend amount is between USD 100 and USD 200 per month,
determined by WEQSC on the basis of:
- The tier of competition in which the student is engaged;
- The cost of training, equipment, or travel associated with the student's activity in the jurisdiction;
- The student's class and the resources reasonably required to sustain both the activity and academic study.
18.7.3
The stipend is ordinarily paid over the duration of the
student's enrolment in Classes 10 and 12, and in the
intervening years where the student's activity continues.
The maximum duration of stipend support is four years.
18.7.4
The stipend is paid directly to the student, or, where the
student is a minor, to a designated parent or guardian
account. The School must confirm the student's continuing
enrolment and activity to WEQSC on request.
18.7.5
The stipend may be used for any purpose connected with the
student's activity or education, including coaching, training,
equipment, travel, nutrition, or academic support.
18.8 Additional Support on Request
18.8.1
A recipient of the Elite Support Tier may request additional
support beyond the components set out in Sections 18.4
through 18.7.
18.8.2
Additional support may include, without limitation:
- Coaching sessions with expert trainers or specialist instructors;
- Travel support to national or international competitions;
- Medical, physiotherapy, or sports-science support;
- Specialised equipment for the student's activity;
- Mental performance coaching or psychological support;
- Academic tutoring where the student's activity interferes with classroom study; and
- Any other support that WEQSC considers, in its discretion, to be beneficial to the student's development.
18.8.3
A request under this section is submitted by the School
through the Portal, in the form specified by WEQSC. The
request must state the support sought, the reason for it,
and the anticipated benefit to the student.
18.8.4
WEQSC evaluates requests under this section within thirty
days of submission. The evaluation is holistic and may
consider, without limitation, the student's performance,
the alignment of the requested support with the student's
activity, and the availability of the requested support in
the student's jurisdiction.
18.8.5
WEQSC's decision on a request under this section is
discretionary. A decision to refuse a request does not
affect the student's entitlement to the components under
Sections 18.4 through 18.7.
18.8.6
Nothing in this section obliges WEQSC to grant any
particular request. WEQSC's decisions under this section
are subject to the School's and the student's right of
appeal under Chapter 35, but only on grounds of material
error, procedural unfairness, or failure to consider the
request.
18.9 Coordination with Other Support
18.9.1
A recipient of the Elite Support Tier who is a Girl Student
receives the girl-child support under Chapter 16 in addition
to the Elite Support Tier. The two programmes serve different
purposes and are not offset against each other.
18.9.2
A recipient of the Elite Support Tier who is a Scholarship
Recipient under Chapter 15 receives the Elite Support Tier
in addition to the scholarship. The two are not offset
against each other.
18.9.3
Where the same item is provided under both the Elite Support
Tier and the girl-child support under Chapter 16 — for
example, a laptop — WEQSC may consolidate the provision so
that a single item of better specification is provided,
rather than two items of lesser specification.
18.10 Termination and Continuity
18.10.1
Elite Support Tier provision continues for so long as the
student remains enrolled in an affiliated class, satisfies
the attendance requirement under Chapter 13, and continues
to represent their country in the activity for which the
support was awarded.
18.10.2
Where the student ceases to represent the country in the
activity — whether by retirement from the activity, by
removal from the national squad, or by choice — the
entitlement to further support under this chapter ends, but
items already provided remain the student's property, and
any stipend already paid is not recoverable.
18.10.3
Where the student's attendance falls below the seventy per
cent threshold without an exemption under Section 13.5,
support under this chapter is suspended until attendance is
restored or the Academic Session closes, whichever is
earlier.
18.10.4
Where a student who is receiving Elite Support transfers to
another Affiliated School, the support continues, subject
to the new School's cooperation in confirming the student's
enrolment and activity.
18.10.5
Where a student is found to have committed an Examination
Irregularity under Chapter 35, support under this chapter
may be suspended or terminated in accordance with the
sanction imposed under that chapter.
18.11 Confidentiality
18.11.1
The fact that a student is a recipient of the Elite Support
Tier may be disclosed by the student, the parent, or the
School, but is not required to be disclosed. The School
must not publicly identify any student as a recipient
without the student's or the parent's written consent.
18.11.2
Where WEQSC publishes information about the Elite Support
Tier, it does so in anonymised or aggregated form, unless
the student or the parent has consented to the use of the
student's name.
18.11.3
Where a student or parent consents to the use of the
student's name in association with the Elite Support Tier,
WEQSC may publicise the student's achievement, and the
student may benefit from the recognition.
18.12 Breach — Consequences
18.12.1
A Breach of any provision of this chapter is subject to the
audit regime in Chapter 28 and, where applicable, to the
suspension and termination regime in Chapter 29.
18.12.2
The following are classified as indicated:
| Breach | Classification |
|---|
| Submitting a fraudulent Elite Support Tier application |
Critical |
| Failing to deliver to the student an item provided by WEQSC |
Major |
| Publicly identifying a student as an Elite Support recipient without consent |
Major |
| Failing to confirm delivery or enrolment to WEQSC when required |
Minor (Major if repeated) |
| Influencing or attempting to influence the outcome of an Elite Support Tier application |
Critical |
18.12.3
Nothing in this chapter displaces the School's or the
student's right of appeal under Chapter 35.
Further Resources
- Elite Support Tier overview —
wise.weqsc.org/elite
- Application form —
wise.weqsc.org/forms/elite-support
- Device catalogue —
wise.weqsc.org/elite/devices
- Additional support request form —
wise.weqsc.org/forms/elite-additional
- Recognition and consent —
wise.weqsc.org/elite/consent