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Licensing and Renewal of Schools in the General Education Sector (Directive No. 992/2016)

Ministry of Education992/2016

Summary

This directive establishes a system for the licensing and renewal of schools operating within the general education sector in Ethiopia. It outlines requirements for various types of schools, including Ethiopian community schools abroad, foreign community schools, international schools, and schools established by foreign investors. The directive covers aspects such as student admission, curriculum implementation, educational resources, school infrastructure, leadership qualifications, and fee structures.

Who's affected

Schools operating in the general education sector, including Ethiopian community schools abroad, foreign community schools in Ethiopia, international schools, and schools established by foreign investors, as well as parents, teachers, and students.

Action required

Schools operating in the general education sector must review this directive and ensure compliance with all licensing, renewal, and operational requirements.

Key points

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  • Establishes licensing and renewal procedures for general education schools.
  • Defines various school types and their admission criteria.
  • Specifies requirements for teachers, leadership, and infrastructure.
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    • Outlines procedures for license renewal, extension, and cancellation.
    • Regulates school fees, including registration and tuition increases.
    • Addresses transitional provisions for existing schools.

Requirements

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  • Schools must meet specific infrastructure standards, including ownership or a 5-year lease, and completion of at least 75% of necessary infrastructure.
  • Teachers must have appropriate educational preparation, teaching methods knowledge, and a license to teach.
  • Foreign teachers require legal residence and work permits, and their credentials must be verified.
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    • School leadership (coordinators, principals) must meet specified educational and professional qualification criteria.
    • Schools must obtain approval for curriculum implementation from the minister.
    • Schools must provide proof of academic and administrative organization.
    • Schools must submit a 5-year plan and a 2-year performance report for license renewal.
    • Schools must inform parents at least 1 month before the new school year if their license is revoked.
    • Schools must return revoked or expired licenses.
    • Schools must obtain approval from the Superintendent's Office before implementing registration fees.
    • Schools must inform parents 3 months before the end of the academic year if there is an economic reason to increase school fees.
    • Schools must present detailed reasons for tuition fee increases and obtain agreement from parent committees and at least 51% of parents.

Rights and permissions

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  • Parents, students, and teachers can form an association.
  • Schools can accept non-Ethiopian students by birth and nationality who desire to learn within the Ethiopian curriculum.
  • Schools can enroll and educate Ethiopian students who get free education.
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    • Schools can enroll and educate both foreign nationals and Ethiopian students who have completed either the Ethiopian curriculum or curricula from other nations.
    • Schools can enroll and educate Ethiopians and foreign nationals with confirmed travel and residence permits.
    • Schools can hire foreign teachers under specific conditions.
    • Schools can accept and deploy volunteer teachers.
    • Schools can inform parents about license revocation.
    • Schools can increase tuition fees for the next academic year with proper justification and notification.

Restrictions

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  • Lessons should be independent of any religious and political views and should not contradict the country's culture and customs.
  • Foreign community schools and international schools must obtain ministerial approval before implementing the curriculum.
  • A school following a foreign curriculum must include one of the federal working languages as a form of education, social science, and social studies.
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    • Foreign teachers must have legal residence and work permits.
    • Hiring principals from foreign countries requires ensuring no local candidate meets the criteria.
    • Schools cannot increase any fees after the academic year has started.
    • License cancellation occurs if a school operates with an unrenewed work permit, outside the authorized level, below expected accreditation standards, with staff lacking legal permits, or if the curriculum is violated.
    • Registration fees cannot exceed 25% of the monthly payment.
    • Schools must obtain approval for registration fees before implementation.
    • Schools must inform the authority in writing of the agreement reached with parent committees and at least 51% of parents regarding tuition fee increases.

Penalties

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  • License renewal may be for one year if information is defective, with a three-month correction period.
  • License will not be renewed for the next year if deficiencies are not corrected within three months.
  • Permit issued according to this instruction shall be revoked under specific circumstances (unrenewed work permit, working outside authorized level, below standard assessment, employing staff without legal permits, curriculum violation).

Objectives

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  • To establish a working system for recognition, approval, and renewal of services for Ethiopian schools abroad and foreign community schools.
  • To ensure the quality of education and accessibility in the general education sector.
  • To create a comfortable environment for individuals and entities engaging in or investing in the education field.
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    • To provide alternative education opportunities for citizens.
    • To ensure the transfer of knowledge.

Organizations

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  • Ministry of Education
  • Ministry of Justice
  • Education and Training Authority
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    • Embassy or Consulate of foreign countries

Legal references

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  • Proclamation no. 1263/2013 Definition of Powers and Duties of the Executive Organs, Article 34 (1) (b and h) and 19 (4)
  • Civil Society Organizations Proclamation No. 1113/2011
  • Federal Administrative Procedure Proclamation No. 1183/2020
Original sourcehttps://justice.gov.et/en/directives/licensing-and-renewal-of-schools-in-the-general-education-sector-directive-no-992-2016/
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