NCHE gets tough on accreditation

National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) says institutions of higher learning in Malawi that fail to rectify shortfalls pointed out in its assessment within the specified period risk deregistration.

NCHE chief executive officer Mathilda Chithila, briefing journalists in Lilongwe yesterday in the wake of its recent accreditation that has stirred panic and controversy, said the primary efforts by the council are towards working with affected institutions to rectify the shortfalls.

She also clarified that institutions that have not been accredited are not supposed to close shop instantly, but rather work on improving the shortfalls.

Said Chithila: “The council monitors the implementation of the remedial actions outlined in their improvement plans and reassesses the institution or programme at the end of the period in the improvement plan.

“If the institution has addressed the issues, it will get the accreditation, but if it fails, the council decides on how best to handle the matter based on whether it has made good progress towards addressing the shortfalls or not. The options available to the council include extension of the time for the institution to rectify the shortfalls and deregistration.”

Last week, NCHE announced deregistration of some institutions of higher learning in the country for failing to meet certain standards for them to operate effectively.

Institutions not accredited include State-owned Malawi College of Accountancy (MCA) and private universities such as African Bible College (ABC) in Lilongwe, Exploits University, Skyway University, Blantyre International University (BIU), Columbia Commonwealth University and Africa University of Guidance, Counselling and Youth Development (AUGCYD). n