Part IV — Financial Framework
Chapter 19 — School Incentives
Chapter 19
School Incentives
WEQSC recognises Schools that contribute to the broader
educational ecosystem — through participation in uniformed
organisations, through sustained compliance, or through
service to disadvantaged communities. This chapter sets out
the discounts, grants, and awards available to Schools, the
conditions attached to each, and the process by which they
are applied for and granted.
19.1 General Principle
19.1.1
The incentives set out in this chapter are available to
Affiliated Schools on the terms specified. They are not
automatic unless so stated, and they operate only in
respect of the affiliation fees and other amounts specified.
19.1.2
Where a School qualifies for more than one incentive, the
incentives apply cumulatively unless the contrary is stated
in this chapter. They do not, however, reduce any amount
payable by WEQSC to a third party.
19.1.3
WEQSC may add, amend, or withdraw an incentive by amendment
to this Framework, under the amendment procedure in the
Document Control section.
19.2 NCC and Scouts & Guides Discount
19.2.1
A School that maintains an active unit of NCC and an active
unit of Scouts & Guides, both meeting the requirements of
Section 19.2.2, is entitled to a discount of ten per cent
on each of the following:
- The Five-Year Upfront Affiliation Fee under Section 14.2.1;
- The Annual Affiliation Fee under Section 14.2.1.
19.2.2
A unit is "active" for the purposes of this section where:
- The unit is officially enrolled with the competent authority in the jurisdiction;
- The unit has not fewer than fifteen student members enrolled in the current Academic Session;
- The unit conducts not fewer than twelve meetings or activities per Academic Session;
- The unit is supervised by a teacher or officer with the qualification or certification required by the competent authority; and
- The School maintains records of the unit's membership, activities, and enrolment with the competent authority, available for inspection at audit.
19.2.3
The discount is applied automatically upon the School
demonstrating that the conditions in Section 19.2.2 are
satisfied. The School must provide documentary evidence
of the enrolment of each unit and of the unit's activity
in the preceding Academic Session.
19.2.4
The discount is applied at the time of invoicing. Where the
School qualifies for the discount mid-cycle — for example,
because it establishes a unit during the cycle — the
discount is applied from the next Annual Affiliation Fee
invoice onwards.
19.2.5
Where a School ceases to maintain either unit in an active
state, the discount ceases to apply from the next Annual
Affiliation Fee invoice onwards.
19.2.6
The discount under this section is separate from the Bonus
Marks available to students under Chapter 17. A student
whose School receives the discount is entitled to Bonus
Marks on the same basis as any other student.
19.3 Performance-Based Renewal Discount
19.3.1
A School that completes an Affiliation Cycle with a perfect
compliance record is entitled to a discount of five per cent
on the Five-Year Upfront Affiliation Fee payable at the
next Renewal.
19.3.2
A "perfect compliance record" for the purposes of this
section means that, in respect of the Affiliation Cycle
just completed:
- The School has not been subject to a Critical or Major Finding at any annual audit under Chapter 28;
- The School has paid all fees due to WEQSC on or before the due date, or within any extension granted under Section 14.8.3;
- The School has met the data quality standard of one hundred per cent in the annual data audit under Chapter 28;
- The School has not been subject to any Suspension or Provisional Affiliation; and
- The School has not submitted any fraudulent Bonus Marks claim, Elite Support Tier application, or scholarship claim during the cycle.
19.3.3
The discount is applied automatically upon Renewal, on the
basis of WEQSC's own records. The School is not required
to apply for it.
19.3.4
The discount is not lost by reason of a Minor Finding at
audit, provided the finding is remedied within the
remediation period specified.
19.3.5
The discount under this section may be combined with the
discount under Section 19.2.
19.4 Technology Infrastructure Grants
19.4.1
WEQSC operates a grant programme for the provision of
technology infrastructure in qualifying Schools. Grants are
awarded to assist Schools in low-income regions or serving
disadvantaged communities to establish or improve the
technology required for the delivery of the WISE programme.
19.4.2
A School is eligible for a grant under this section where
it satisfies all of the following:
- The School's annual revenue is less than USD 50,000, as verified by its most recent audited financial statements;
- The School's enrolled student population is fewer than five hundred;
- The School is located in a low-income region, as classified by WEQSC;
- The School has not received a technology grant under this section in the current Affiliation Cycle; and
- The School undertakes to maintain any equipment acquired with the grant for a minimum of five years.
19.4.3
The grant amount is up to fifty per cent of the approved
equipment cost, subject to a maximum of USD 5,000 per
School per Affiliation Cycle.
19.4.4
Eligible equipment under this section includes: computers
and laptops for student use; networking equipment; printers
and scanners; projectors and display equipment; and other
equipment reasonably required for the delivery of the
WISE programme.
19.4.5
An application under this section is submitted by the
School through the Portal, and must be accompanied by:
- The School's most recent audited financial statements;
- A statement of the School's technology needs and the intended use of the equipment;
- A specification and cost estimate for the equipment proposed; and
- A plan for the maintenance and use of the equipment over a minimum of five years.
19.4.6
WEQSC evaluates applications under this section within
sixty days of submission. Grants are awarded on the basis
of demonstrated need, the likely impact on the delivery
of the WISE programme, and the availability of grant
funding.
19.4.7
A grant is disbursed to the School after the equipment has
been purchased and the invoice has been submitted to
WEQSC, or on such other basis as WEQSC may specify in the
grant award letter.
19.4.8
A School that receives a grant under this section must
submit an annual usage report to WEQSC for five years
following the award, describing the use and condition of
the equipment.
19.4.9
Where a School disposes of equipment acquired with a grant
within five years of the award, or fails to submit an
annual usage report, WEQSC may require repayment of the
grant in whole or in part.
19.5 Professional Development Sponsorships
19.5.1
WEQSC awards up to ten Teaching Excellence Fellowships
annually, providing support for teachers to attend an
international education conference or comparable
professional development opportunity.
19.5.2
A teacher is eligible for a Fellowship where:
- The teacher has been employed by an Affiliated School for not fewer than three years;
- The teacher has demonstrated innovation in teaching, evidenced by the nomination of the School's Senior Officer; and
- The teacher has not received a Fellowship in the preceding five years.
19.5.3
A Fellowship provides:
- International airfare, economy class, to a maximum of USD 1,500;
- Accommodation for not more than four nights, to a maximum of USD 100 per night;
- Conference registration, to a maximum of USD 500.
19.5.4
Nominations are made by the School's Senior Officer through
the Portal, ordinarily before 30 April each year. WEQSC
announces the recipients of Fellowships by 30 June.
19.5.5
A Fellow must, within sixty days of attending the event,
submit a written report to WEQSC describing the learning
and its application to the Fellow's teaching. A Fellow
must also present at the next WEQSC annual conference,
ordinarily held in September.
19.5.6
Where a Fellow fails to submit the report or to present at
the conference without reasonable excuse, WEQSC may
require repayment of the Fellowship in whole or in part.
19.6 Recognition Awards
19.6.1
WEQSC confers recognition awards on Schools that have
demonstrated exceptional performance, innovation, or
service in a given year. Recognition awards are honorary
and do not carry cash prizes.
19.6.2
The recognition awards are:
| Award |
Criteria |
| WEQSC Excellence in Education Award |
Awarded to a School with a pass rate exceeding ninety-five per cent in WISE Examinations, zero Critical or Major Findings at audit, and a perfect compliance record for the Affiliation Cycle. |
| WEQSC Innovation Champion |
Awarded to a School that has introduced novel pedagogy, technology, or assessment practice to the benefit of its students, as evidenced by documented outcomes. |
| WEQSC Sustainability Leader |
Awarded to a School that has implemented environmental sustainability practices in its operations, curriculum, or community engagement. |
| WEQSC Equity Champion |
Awarded to a School that has demonstrated exceptional commitment to gender equity, inclusion of students with disabilities, or service to disadvantaged communities. |
19.6.3
Awards are conferred annually at the WEQSC conference in
September, following evaluation by the Awards Committee.
19.6.4
A recipient of an award may:
- Display the award logo on its premises, website, and prospectus;
- Refer to the award in its communications, provided the year of award is stated and the award is not represented as extending to any programme or activity of the School beyond that which the award addressed; and
- Use the award in teacher recruitment and professional development communications.
19.6.5
An award is valid for the year in which it is conferred and
for the following Academic Session. It may not be represented
as current beyond that period.
19.7 Bulk Enrolment Discount
19.7.1
Where a School enrols three hundred or more students in the
WISE programme in a given Academic Session, it is entitled
to a discount of two per cent on the aggregate Student
Examination Fees payable for that session.
19.7.2
The discount is calculated on the aggregate amount payable
after the application of any exemption under Chapter 16
and any scholarship under Chapter 15.
19.7.3
The discount is applied automatically upon invoicing. The
School is not required to apply for it.
19.7.4
The discount is not available where the aggregate Student
Examination Fees payable for the session are less than
USD 1,000 after the application of exemptions and
scholarships.
19.8 Application Procedure and Documentation
19.8.1
Applications for incentives under this chapter are made
through the Portal, using the form specified for each
incentive. Applications are ordinarily accepted at any
time, except where a specific deadline is specified.
19.8.2
Every application must be accompanied by the documentation
specified in the relevant section of this chapter, and any
further documentation reasonably required by WEQSC to
evaluate the application.
19.8.3
WEQSC may, in its discretion, request clarifications,
conduct site visits, or seek independent verification of
any document or representation in an application.
19.8.4
A grant or award under this chapter is personal to the
School to which it is granted. It may not be transferred
to another School, and it does not survive the termination
or non-renewal of the School's affiliation, save where
WEQSC determines otherwise in the grant or award letter.
19.9 Breach — Consequences
19.9.1
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.
19.9.2
The following are classified as indicated:
| Breach | Classification |
|---|
| Fraudulently claiming an incentive under this chapter |
Critical |
| Misrepresenting the state of an NCC or Scouts & Guides unit to obtain the discount |
Critical |
| Disposing of grant-funded equipment within five years without WEQSC approval |
Major |
| Failing to submit an annual usage report for a technology grant |
Minor (Major if repeated) |
| Representing an expired award as current |
Minor |
| Failing to submit a Fellow's report or to present at the annual conference |
Minor (Major if repeated) |
19.9.3
Where a Critical Breach under this chapter involves the
receipt of a discount or grant to which the School was
not entitled, WEQSC may require repayment of the amount
together with interest, in addition to any other
consequence.
19.9.4
Nothing in this chapter displaces the School's right of
appeal under Chapter 35.
Further Resources
- Incentives overview —
wise.weqsc.org/incentives
- NCC and Scouts & Guides discount application —
wise.weqsc.org/forms/ncc-sg-discount
- Technology grant application —
wise.weqsc.org/forms/tech-grant
- Fellowship nomination —
wise.weqsc.org/forms/fellowship
- Recognition awards —
wise.weqsc.org/awards