MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has partnered with the Philippine Normal University (PNU) on the provision of technical assistance on the assessment of the competence of the seafarers anchored on the new assessment system under MARINA – STCW Circulars 2018-08 and 2018-09.

Through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed today, 15 March 2019, the MARINA – STCW office will be assisted by the PNU in capacitating its Board of Examiners (BOE) and in reviewing the current Table of Specifications (TOS) for the assessment of competence for various theoretical examinations.

The PNU will also work with the MARINA in the review of the tools for assessment using universally-accepted pedagogical methodologies, in the conduct of test item analysis to ensure the validity and reliability of test items, and in the establishment of a system for national and institutional passing percentage.

The implementation of the MARINA-PNU MOA will start on 18 March 2019 until 31 July 2019.

The MARINA expressed its utmost gratitude to the PNU for its willingness to extend its resources to elevate the competencies of MARINA – STCW officials and personnel.

The partnership with the PNU will allow the MARINA – STCW Office to better perform its responsibilities to create and evaluate the database of questions for competence-based examinations; as well as to review and replenish the database examination systems per required competence at a rate of 20% annually.

The MARINA issued STCW Circulars 2018-08 and 2018-09 for the new rules and mandatory minimum requirements in the assessment of competence of seafarers.

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