TEC is not a registered institution and therefore does not have awarding powers. However it works with the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (MoEHRD) to register tertiary level providers that is making institutions legal entities which can award qualifications. Legally it is MoEHRD which has the power to register providers. 

MoEHRD (Ministry of Education and Human resource development) is TEC’s parent Ministry. The TEC Secretariat is managed by a CEO who implements regulations and policies approved by the TEC Board. In the final analysis TEC’s regulations and policies have to be approved by the MoEHRD or the Cabinet of Ministers, whichever is more appropriate. As a statutory body TEC also has a duty to report to the National Assembly through an Annual Report.

TEC has the power to regulate aspects of tertiary education and training, to advise government of the needs of the sector, what should be done to meet these needs, as well as the requirement for any further legislation to develop the sector. TEC however does not have ownership rights over the institutions which is vested in the parent ministries. So, it does not have the power to allocate resources, apportion the budget, appoint staff in the institutions or approve the policy framework under which the institution functions. However it has a duty to ensure that institutions are accountable under this framework, which means that TEC monitors whether the institutions functions in line with national education legislation and policies.

TEC acts as lobby for resources, making the case to MoEHRD and government for the resource needs of this sector. It develops regulations, policies and guidelines for providers for the development of Charters, admission of students, funding requirements, the form and content of learning programmes, the joint functioning of institutions, imposition of fees and provider involvement in business activities. Insofar as is reasonable and consistent with its mandate, resources, and the Tertiary Education Act 2011, it assists providers in meeting the demands implied in such guidelines.

TEC has a duty to ensure that the tertiary sector in general and providers in particular offer quality education and training to learners by holding them accountable to meet standards and criteria set both by MoEHRD, itself and by SQA. On the one hand, it has a role to advise government of the sector’s needs whilst on the other it has a responsibility to ensure that providers who are funded by government deliver value for money.

Learners are able to bring to the attention of TEC members practices which may not be in their best interests and therefore request TEC to undertake an investigation and to institute remedial action. Finally TEC has a duty to provide to all stakeholders as much information about the tertiary education sector as possible.

Quality assurance in tertiary education is primarily the responsibility of the Seychelles Qualifications Authority (SQA). SQA validates qualifications, that is it ensures that qualifications developed by providers meets national standards. It also has the responsibility to accredit providers, thus ensuring that providers meet the standards to offer qualifications. Legally TEC is required to work closely with SQA to ensure that providers meet and continues to meet such national standards. It therefore holds providers accountable. It also provides as much support as possible to the providers to meet the standards, for example through workshops and in the development of manuals and guides.