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Directive for Higher Education and Technical & Vocational Training Licensing and Renewal of License (Directive No. 988/2024)

Ministry of Education988/2024

Summary

This directive establishes the framework for licensing and renewal of licenses for Higher Education and Technical & Vocational Training institutions in Ethiopia. It outlines general provisions, definitions, scope of application, fundamental affairs for institutions, programs, students, and academic staff, as well as procedures for applying for, issuing, renewing, and cancelling licenses. The directive also addresses exit procedures for institutions and programs, miscellaneous provisions including reporting violations and legal recourse, and specifies conditions for amendment and effective date.

Who's affected

Higher education institutions, technical and vocational training institutions, foreign higher education institutions seeking to operate in Ethiopia, and their academic staff and students.

Action required

Institutions must ensure compliance with the licensing and renewal criteria, including documentation, quality standards, and operational requirements, and apply for licenses or renewals as per the procedures outlined in the directive.

Key points

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  • Establishes comprehensive licensing and renewal procedures for higher education and TVET institutions.
  • Defines key terms related to licensing, institutions, programs, and modalities of education.
  • Outlines fundamental requirements for institutions, programs, students, and academic staff.
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    • Specifies various licensing models for cross-border education.
    • Details procedures for license application, issuance, renewal, and cancellation.
    • Addresses exit procedures for institutions and programs.
    • Includes provisions for reporting violations and legal consequences.
    • Repeals or amends previous relevant directives.
    • Emphasizes quality assurance and adherence to standards.

Requirements

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  • Institutions must meet minimum quality standards for education and training.
  • Institutions must have qualified academic staff with authenticated credentials.
  • Institutions must submit required documentation for licensing and renewal.
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    • Institutions must adhere to financial and operational requirements, including establishment criteria and student intake capacities.
    • Institutions must have a clear vision, mission, and objectives aligned with national interests.
    • Foreign institutions must obtain accreditation in their respective programs.
    • Institutions must have a functional website with accurate information.
    • Institutions must ensure students have acquired the necessary skills, attitude, and knowledge upon graduation.
    • Academic staff must meet specified qualification and workload requirements.
    • Institutions must comply with regulations regarding reporting, student admissions, and program delivery modalities.
    • Institutions must have a dedicated campus or building for higher education services.
    • Institutions must ensure that their educational inputs are used solely for approved purposes.
    • Institutions must comply with environmental and social considerations, including persons with disabilities.
    • Institutions must have research articles published for PhD candidates and graduate students.
    • Institutions must have teaching hospitals for medical and specialty programs.
    • Institutions must obtain necessary business and investment licenses.

Rights and permissions

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  • Right to apply for and obtain licenses and renewals.
  • Right to operate educational programs as per the granted license.
  • Right to appeal decisions made by the authority.
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    • Right to seek clarification and professional assistance from the authority.
    • Right to amend or improve organizational structure.
    • Right to confidentiality for whistleblowers.

Restrictions

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  • Institutions cannot operate without a valid license.
  • Specific programs like teacher education and law are restricted for private higher education institutions.
  • Distance education is restricted to first-degree levels for higher education institutions.
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    • Technical and vocational training institutions cannot offer training via distance modality.
    • Institutions cannot change degree nomenclature or curriculum without authority approval.
    • Institutions cannot admit students before obtaining a license or after the license period has lapsed.
    • Institutions cannot use inputs for purposes other than those approved.
    • Campus relocation is restricted to within the same city and a specific radius.
    • Foreign institutions must ensure their accreditation is renewed.
    • Institutions must not compromise the quality of education or violate laws.
    • Institutions cannot operate without a valid license or renewal.
    • Institutions cannot admit new students to programs for which a closing application has been submitted.
    • Institutions must not engage in activities contrary to the directive.
    • Institutions must obtain authority approval for curriculum changes.
    • Institutions must not operate without proper accreditation or license.
    • Institutions cannot engage in activities that disrupt regular teaching and learning.

Penalties

5
  • Civil and criminal liability for operating without a license.
  • Cancellation of license for non-compliance, quality compromise, legal violations, or failure to renew on time.
  • Financial penalties and deduction from bank guarantees for failing to meet obligations, such as student transfer costs.
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    • Legal liability for violating higher education proclamation, technical and vocational training proclamation, and other directives.
    • Revocation of license if foreign accreditation is not renewed.

Objectives

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  • To provide a clear framework for the licensing and renewal of licenses for higher education and technical and vocational training institutions.
  • To ensure quality and relevance of education and training services offered by these institutions.
  • To establish standards for the establishment, operation, and management of educational institutions.
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    • To protect the rights and interests of students and academic staff.
    • To promote accountability and transparency in the education sector.

Organizations

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  • Ministry of Education
  • Authority (as designated by the Ministry of Education)

Legal references

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  • Proclamation No. 1263/2021 (Powers and responsibilities of FDRE executive bodies)
  • Higher Education Proclamation No. 1152/2019
  • Council of Ministers’ Regulations No. 515/2021 (Organization, power and responsibilities of the Ministry of Education)
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    • Technical and Vocational Training Proclamation No. 954/2016
    • Previous Directives of the Ministry of Education (e.g., Recognition, License and Renewal Directives, Undergraduate Directive No. 575/2021, Distance Education Directive No. 576/2021, Cross border Education Directive No. 578/2021, Online Learning Directive No. 806/2021, Postgraduate Directive No. 574/2021, Institutions’ Status Directive No. 577/2021)
    • Technical and Vocational Education and Training Institutions Program Registration and Accreditation Directive (promulgated in 2003)
Original sourcehttps://justice.gov.et/en/directives/directive-for-higher-education-and-technical-vocational-training-licensing-and-renewal-of-license-directive-no-988-2024/
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