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Directive for Higher Education Institutions' Institutional and Program Accreditation (Directive No. 991/2024)

Ministry of Education991/2024

Summary

This directive outlines the procedures and standards for institutional and program accreditation for higher education institutions in Ethiopia. It establishes the structure, roles, responsibilities, and criteria for quality assurance in higher education. The directive also covers re-accreditation, special assessments, limited assessments, and the benefits of accreditation.

Who's affected

Higher education institutions operating in Ethiopia.

Action required

Higher education institutions should familiarize themselves with the accreditation standards and procedures outlined in this directive to ensure they meet the requirements for institutional and program accreditation.

Key points

8
  • Establishes a formal process for institutional and program accreditation of higher education institutions.
  • Defines specific standards for institutional and program quality.
  • Outlines the roles and responsibilities of the Ministry of Education, Education and Training Authority, Accreditation Council, and assessors.
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    • Details the procedures for application, document review, field visit, report preparation, and decision-making.
    • Specifies conditions for full accreditation, accreditation with conditions, and denial of accreditation.
    • Includes provisions for re-accreditation, special assessments, and limited assessments.
    • Outlines preconditions for institutions applying for accreditation.
    • Lists benefits for accredited institutions and programs.

Requirements

9
  • Institutions must meet specified institutional accreditation preconditions, including holding a teaching license, having graduated students, undergoing quality audits, and paying accreditation fees.
  • Institutions must meet specified program accreditation preconditions, including holding a valid teaching license for the program, applying for the licensed modality and level, having graduated students, and paying accreditation fees.
  • Accredited institutions and programs must submit annual reports on improvements and quality assurance activities.
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    • Institutions must provide all pertinent documents and respond to questions from the assessment team.
    • Institutions must provide support to the assessment team during field visits.
    • Institutions must maintain systems and resources that were in place during the assessment.
    • Institutions must apply for re-accreditation within the proper time range.
    • Institutions must fulfill quality improvement areas and activities.
    • Accredited institutions and programs must submit annual reports indicating implementation of improvements and continuous quality improvement activities.

Rights and permissions

3
  • Institutions have the right to request training services from the authority regarding accreditation processes and quality assurance.
  • Institutions have the right to know the accreditation assessment schedule after submitting an application.
  • Institutions denied accreditation have the right to appeal the decision.

Restrictions

6
  • Accreditation may be denied if the institution's assessment result falls within the lowest category.
  • Re-accreditation may be denied if the institution's assessment result falls within the lowest category.
  • An institution or program whose accreditation is denied must re-apply one year after the denial date.
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    • An institution or program whose re-accreditation is denied must re-apply one year after the denial date.
    • Accreditation may be cancelled if the institution or program fails to maintain systems and resources, fails to request renewal in time, or violates legal procedures.
    • Any directive, administrative decision, or customary practice contrary to this directive shall not be applicable.

Penalties

3
  • Denial of accreditation.
  • Denial of re-accreditation.
  • Cancellation of accreditation.

Objectives

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  • To establish a framework for institutional and program accreditation in higher education.
  • To ensure quality assurance in higher education institutions and programs.
  • To define the roles and responsibilities of various bodies involved in the accreditation process.
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    • To set standards for institutional and program accreditation.
    • To outline the procedures for accreditation, re-accreditation, and special/limited assessments.
    • To specify the preconditions for accreditation.
    • To define the benefits of accreditation for institutions and programs.

Organizations

4
  • Ministry of Education
  • Education and Training Authority
  • Accreditation Council
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    • Higher Education Institutions

Legal references

3
  • Proclamation No. 1263/2021, Article 19, Sub-article 4
  • Higher Education Proclamation No. 1152/2011
  • Council of Ministers’ Regulations No. 515/2022
Original sourcehttps://justice.gov.et/en/directives/directive-for-higher-education-institutions-institutional-and-program-accreditation-directive-no-991-2024/
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