Quality Resources: Africa

Here you will find a collection of quality resources with a focus on Africa.

Introduction

The quality of Open, Flexible, and Distance Learning (OFDL) in Africa has been evolving in line with technological advancements. The use of digital tools has helped to improve access, learning resources with high level of interactivity, delivery, and administration. The region has made frantic efforts to ensure continuous improvement in OFDL by establishing the African Council for Distance Education (ACDE) with the vision “to be the organization of excellence in the promotion and advocacy for open and distance learning in Africa”. 

At the inaugural meeting of the ACDE the need to develop a common understanding of quality concepts and practices for OFDL arose, and the establishment of ODL Quality Assurance and Accreditation Agency in Africa was recommended (QAAA).  In May 2009, ACDE-Quality Assurance and Accreditation Agency (ACDE-QAAA) was formally established with the mandate of developing and implementing a quality assurance framework to ensure that Open and Distance Learning (ODL) institutions in Africa engage in acceptable quality assurance practices. The association is still in dialog with the different national accrediting bodies in ensuring that different standards and criteria are used in accrediting ODL institutions. To date, this is the only regional body for ODL amongst others developed for the conventional higher education. 

In addition, between 2022 and 2024, the region has embarked on building strong institutional internal quality assurance for both ODL and conventional institutions through training workshops and seminars. Since after the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of digital learning has increased and calls for strategic internal institutional quality assurance mechanisms. 

ACDE-QAAA Toolkit

The ACDE Quality Assurance and Accreditation Agency (QAAA) Toolkit is in three parts: quality standards for Institutional reviews, quality standards for programme evaluation and a glossary of terms. It comprises twelve (12) standard criteria for institutional reviews and nine (9) standard criteria for programme evaluation, all of which reflect the essential features/elements of ODL and eLearning practices in Africa Higher Education Institutions.
The Toolkit can be used as a self-assessment tool for internal quality assurance or for institutional certification. Using the toolkit for internal self-assessment is the first step in the process of obtaining the ACDE certification.

Published by: African Council for Distance Education (ACDE)

Language: English

Date: 2024

The Pan-African Quality Assurance and Accreditation Framework (PAQAF)

The PAQAF, which was indorsed by the African Union Commission via its committees and its council, is an overriding framework for a number of commitments related to quality assurance activities in Africa. The implementation of the Addis Convention and AQRM are part of it, as are commitments to develop African Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance, an African Credit Transfer System and a continental register for quality assurance agencies and national bodies. As many aspects of PAQAF have not yet been developed, the HAQAA Initiative is seen as a means to contribute to it its implementation.

Published by: European and African Union Commissions

Language: English

Date: 2016