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ZAQA Logo
Educational Institutions
Slide 1
ZAQA Logo
Educational Institutions

Educational Institutions

ZAQA's authority is to develop and implement a national qualifications framework to ensure that standards and registered qualifications are internationally comparable.

Registration and Accreditation of Qualifications

REVISED GUIDELINES FOR THE REGISTRATION AND ACCREDITATION OF QUALIFICATIONS,MAY 2023

Registration and Accreditation of Qualifications is the process that ZAQA undertakes of examining or assessing a qualification, based on a set criteria, to establish an appropriate level on the Framework for quality assurance and recognition purposes. Any regulatory agency and/or qualification awarding body wishing to register and accredit a qualification should apply to ZAQA via the Qualifications Management Information System (QMIS). All successful applicants shall be issued with Certificates of Accreditation of their qualifications and the qualifications shall be registered on the ZQF in addition to them being published in the Government Gazette and all formal media of ZAQA.

Registration
During the registration stage the Awarding or Quality Assurance body wishing to accredit their qualifications applies for recognition as an Appropriate Authority. The following aspects of the applicant are considered:
• Legal mandate
• Governance structure
• Quality enhancement mechanisms
• Administration and support

Accreditation
The Appropriate Authority submits its qualifications for recognition and placement onto the Zambia Qualifications Framework. The following aspects of the qualifications are reviewed:
• Qualification details
• Delivery Modes
• Qualifications of Trainers and Assessors
• Duration
• Entry Requirements
• Qualification Aims and Objectives
• Coherence
• Assessment modalities
• Statement of Strategic Purpose and Relevance of Qualification
• Learning Outcomes

A qualification is recognised if it meets the standards of the criteria and thereafter recognised at an appropriate level of the Zambia Qualifications Framework. Qualifications that fail to meet the standards are not recognised.

Register, Login & Apply Today

The Qualifications Management Information System (QMIS) is the online system used by ZAQA to manage a database of learner achievements in Zambia.

The QMIS allows users to apply for validation and evaluation of qualifications online and make payments.

Learners can obtain the e-certificate to share with potential employers or further education institutions. Universities and other higher education institutions can register their courses for assessment against the international standards.

Service Type Price
Accreditation of Local Qualifications Local K5,000
Accreditation of Foreign Qualifications Foreign K15,000

National Occupational Standards

National Occupational Standards (NOS) are statements of the standards of performance individuals must achieve when carrying out functions in the workplace, together with specifications of the underpinning knowledge and understanding.

NOS are National because they apply to and can be used in every part of Zambia where the functions are carried out. NOS are Occupational because they describe the performance required of an individual when carrying out the functions in the workplace, i.e. in their occupation as a plumber, police officer, production engineer, etc. NOS are Standards because they are statements of effective performance for the things individuals do and the outcomes they achieve which have been agreed by a representative sample of employers and key stakeholders; and are approved by ZAQA.

NOS are developed to help employers in all sectors to quantify the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to perform at all levels of the respective sector. Each set of NOS provides a statement of effective performance, which can then be measured. NOS shall provide Zambia a wide, demand-led, evidence-based benchmark of competent performance that underpins vocational learning and development, apprenticeships and qualifications across all sectors and occupations in Zambia. They encompass the employability of skills for self-management and organisation of work, thinking through and solving problems, working with others, communicating effectively and understanding the business. 

NOS shall be used by Quality Assurance, Awarding and Professional Bodies as benchmarks to develop qualifications in various sectors. They shall also be used by organisations to support human resource management and organisational development processes. In some sectors, demonstration of competence against NOS shall be required in order to run a business or practice a craft or profession.

Useful Links

Zambia Coat of Arms

Ministry of Education

The Mandate of the Ministry of Education (MEdu.) is to formulate and implement Education and Science Policies, set and enforce standards and regulations, licence, supervise and provide education and skills development, as well as promote science, technology and innovation education.

Zambia Coat of Arms

Ministry of Technology and Science

The mandate of the Ministry of Technology and Science is, “To Formulate and implement policies on Technology, Science, Communications and Skills Development for enhanced impact on socio-economic development as well as enforcement of standards; regulations, licensing and supervision of Technology, Science, Communications and Skills Development” as stipulated in the Government Gazette Notice No. 1123 of 2021

Higher Education Authority

Public Higher Education Institutions

There are nine Public Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Zambia.

Higher Education Authority

Registered Private Higher Education Institutions

There are currently 53 Registered Private Higher Education Institutions. This number can change from time to time.

Higher Education Authority

Higher Education Authority

Coordinates, regulates, and monitors standards of higher education.

TEVETA

TEVETA

Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority.

Examinations Council of Zambia Logo

Examinations Council

Conducts examinations for Grade 7, 9 & 12 and awards certificates to successful candidates.

ZAQA Logo White
P.O. Box 51103, Finsbury Park, Ground Floor,
Kabwe Round-About, Lusaka, Zambia
info@zaqa.gov.zm
Open Monday - Friday 0800h - 1700h

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