The Functioning of Accreditation in Ethiopia Higher Education

Abstract

In Ethiopia, the number of private higher education institutions (HEIs) has increased significantly over the past decade. The government of Ethiopia has set up an accreditation system as the main mechanism of overseeing the performance of these private HEIs, .The Higher Education Relevance and Quality Agency (HERQA now ETQAA) is the main agency appointed by the government to undertake the accreditation system. This study analyzes the functioning of the accreditation system in Ethiopian higher education with an emphasis on the opinions of private HEIs on the system. To explore and identify the rationale behind the set up of the current accreditation system, the study draws on relevant literature related to the topic. Both quantitative and qualitative study approaches are used. Questionnaires, document analysis and personal communication via email are the main data collection tools. The study shows that the Ethiopian accreditation system is more inclined towards accountability rather than improvement approaches. Moreover, the private HEIs identify delays, stringent standards, a focus on input and a general negative attitude held towards them as major weaknesses of the accreditation system. Nevertheless, the private HEIs concur that the accreditation system has to be implemented in Ethiopia to enhance the contribution of private higher education to the country’s development goals.