Higher Education Relevance and Quality Agency disclosed its year long quality assessment study result on private higher education institutions in the nation.

According to the result based on the study, 57 private higher education institutions fulfilling the quality assessment criteria would continue their work.

The study result showed 13 private institutions are given one year period to improve themselves based on improvement ideas given to them after which their license could be renewed.

Other five private education institutions are to be closed and cannot continue the teaching learning process.

Director General to the Higher Education Relevance and Quality Agency, Dr. Tesfaye Teshome said institution’s leadership system, its academic program and structure, curriculum, personal record files of teachers and student assessment system are among the key criteria for the performance measurement.

He said the criteria have been set based on discussions made with stakeholders earlier. Higher institutions closed based on the study result have the responsibility to transfer their students to other accredited institutions and make them complete their learning, Dr. Tesfaye said.

13 institutions given a period of one year to improve themselves are the following: Addis Ababa Mekane Iyesus Management and Leadership College, Sellahon Health Science College located in Wolaita Sodo, CPU College located in Addis Ababa, Arat Kilo area, Rift Valley College located in Diredawa, Alkan Health Science College located in Addis Ababa, around Ras Desta and Bale Goba, Addis College located in Addis Ababa around Misrak Atekalay, Africa Beza College located in Addis Ababa around Mexico and Hawasa, International Leadership Institute located in Addis Ababa around Sidist Kilo, Zega Business College located in Addis Ababa around Shih Semania area, Ethiopia Adventist College located in Shashamane around Kuyera and Paradise Valley College located in Shashamane.

The five institutions closed are Hayome Health Science College located in Ambo, Nile College located in Mekele, Alef Health Science College located in Hawasa, Orbit Information Technology College located in Addis Ababa around Bekilo Bet and Fura College located in Yirgalem.

Minister of Education, Demeke Mekonnin said performance assessment made on the institutions would help to achieve quality standard set on the Growth and Transformation Plan.

He said assessment has also been made to survey the quality of distance education given by government and private higher institutions and this would be followed by measuring performance of the students.

Demeke noted the Agency has prepared examination in collaboration with the National Organization for Examination. Second and third year students attending in government and private higher institutions are expected to take examination at the end of September, the Minister said.