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Directive for Higher Education Academic Programs and Curriculum Design, Review and Approval (Directive No. 917/2022)

Ministry of Education917/2022

Summary

This directive outlines the procedures for the design, review, and approval of academic programs and curricula in higher education institutions in Ethiopia. It aims to ensure quality, relevance, and alignment with national development goals and international standards.

Who's affected

Public and private higher education institutions in Ethiopia, including their academic staff, students, and regulatory bodies.

Action required

Higher education institutions must ensure their academic programs and curricula comply with the guidelines set forth in this directive, including undergoing regular review and approval processes.

Key points

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  • Establishes clear procedures for academic program and curriculum design, review, and approval.
  • Emphasizes alignment with national development priorities and international standards.
  • Mandates periodic review of academic programs and curricula.
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    • Defines roles and responsibilities of stakeholders including the Ministry of Education, institutions, senates, and boards.
    • Requires need assessment and external review for new and revised programs.

Requirements

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  • Academic programs must have a relevant curriculum.
  • Curriculum development must align with national frameworks and strategies.
  • Institutions must ensure minimum and maximum course loads, credit hours, and ECTS are met.
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    • New academic programs require Senate and Board approval, and Ministry endorsement.
    • Existing programs require periodic review (4-6 years) with external reviewer input.
    • Institutions must provide evidence of human resource availability (75%) for new programs.
    • Need assessment studies must be conducted for new programs.
    • Institutions must develop internal guidelines for implementing the directive.
    • Institutions must ensure resources and facilities for practical and lab work.
    • Institutions must ensure consistency with international, regional, national standards, and strategic priorities.
    • Institutions must submit review reports to the Ministry.
    • Termination of academic programs requires Ministry notification, public dissemination, rationalization, impact mitigation plans, and staff redeployment plans.

Rights and permissions

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  • Higher education institutions can initiate new academic programs.
  • University Senates have the power to approve or reject new academic programs.
  • External reviewers are invited to provide professional opinions.
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    • The Ministry of Education can amend the directive.
    • Institutions can develop their own standards and guidelines to implement the directive.

Restrictions

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  • New academic programs require Ministry legal permission before student admission.
  • Existing academic programs can be merged if two or more programs have two-thirds of their course content in common.
  • New academic programs must align with national development priorities, mission frameworks, and higher education policy.
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    • Academic programs not in line with institutional differentiation will not be entertained.
    • No directive or customary practice inconsistent with this directive shall be applicable.
    • The Ministry of Education must be notified when terminating an academic program.

Objectives

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  • To align higher education academic programs and curricula with international, national, regional, and local priority development agendas.
  • To ensure that higher education institutions academic programs and curricula satisfy the social and economic development of the society.
  • To assure that higher education institutions programs and curricula meet the global and national standards.
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    • To review academic programs and curricula periodically to respond to the socio-economic demands of the society.

Organizations

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  • Ministry of Education
  • Education and Training Authority
  • Higher Education Institutions (Public and Private)

Legal references

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  • Proclamation No. 1263/2014 (Definition of powers and duties of the Ministry)
  • Higher Education Proclamation No. 1152/2019
Original sourcehttps://justice.gov.et/en/directives/directive-for-higher-education-academic-programs-and-curriculum-design-review-and-approval-directive-no-917-2022/
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