Education is a special and highly important activity. The quality of education is always a matter of concern for society as a whole.

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has published ISO 21001:2018 on Quality Management Systems (QMS) with specific requirements for educational organizations to achieve the fourth quality objective.

One of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations is to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

So, what are the principles of ISO 21001 certification?

Who Can Apply ISO 21001?

ISO 21001 applies to all types of educational organizations, including kindergartens, universities, vocational institutions, online learning providers, and organizations using curricula to support competence development through education, learning, or research, regardless of their type, size, or delivery method.

This standard is also applicable to educational departments within large organizations whose core business is not training, such as specialized training departments. Specifically, the following entities may apply:

• Early childhood education institutions (nurseries, preschools, kindergartens, etc.)
• Primary and secondary education institutions (primary schools, civic schools, junior high schools, civic secondary schools, high schools, technical schools, specialized schools, etc.)
• Higher education institutions (universities, industrial colleges, pedagogical colleges, vocational colleges, etc.)
• Continuing education organizations (organizations providing supplementary education, adult character development education, vocational skills training, liberal arts education, humanities education, etc.)
• School education organizations (institutions implementing arts and teaching activities, etc.)

Principles of ISO 21001 Certification – Educational Organization Management System

The quality management system for educational organizations according to ISO 21001 is established based on 11 principles, including several principles specific to educational organization quality management systems, as follows:

Focus on Learners and Other Beneficiaries

• Sustainable success is achieved when an educational organization can meet the needs of all learners while attracting and maintaining the confidence of other beneficiaries such as employers, parents, and government authorities. Successful organizations work to ensure that every learner achieves their highest potential.
• Every interaction within an educational organization creates opportunities to generate greater value for learners and other beneficiaries.

Visionary Leadership

• Visionary leadership involves engaging learners and other beneficiaries in creating, developing, and implementing the mission, vision, and objectives of the organization.

Social Responsibility

• Educational organizations are responsible for the impact of their decisions and activities on society, the economy, and the environment through transparency and ethical behavior.

Accessibility and Equity

• Educational organizations need to ensure that as many people as possible can access their educational products and services, depending on their limitations and resources.
• Organizations must also ensure that all learners can access and benefit from those products and services fairly.

Ethical Conduct in Education

• The ability of an organization to create an ethical professional environment in which all interested parties are treated fairly, avoiding conflicts of interest and inappropriate activities.
• To achieve sustainable success, organizations need to build a reputation for integrity (honesty and fairness) in dealings with all interested parties. Employees of the organization must comply with the highest professional standards in all conduct.

Data Security and Protection

• Organizations create an environment in which all interested parties can interact with the educational organization with complete confidence that they maintain control over the use of their personal data, and that the educational organization will process their data with appropriate care and confidentiality.

An educational organization may issue policy statements based on its cultural framework (the complete set of beliefs and values shaping its behavior) and the principles of the quality management system.

These policy statements then provide a framework for establishing objectives, which are periodically reviewed to ensure that the organization’s mission is implemented effectively and efficiently on the journey toward achieving the educational organization’s vision.

The application of standards helps educational organizations demonstrate social responsibility and enhance their reputation by providing high-quality, inclusive, and equitable education for all learners, including people with special educational needs, distance learners, and lifelong learners.

At the same time, this is also a way for educational organizations to affirm their commitment to continuously improving educational quality, meeting the needs of learners and interested parties, and promoting a culture of innovation that encourages excellence in educational activities.

The above are the sharing insights from ISSQ Quality Institute regarding the principles of ISO 21001 certification.

We hope this article provides useful information for you and your business.

ISSQ Quality Institute is always ready to accompany companies during the period of integration and development.

Please contact our hotline: +84 981851111 or email: vienchatluong@issq.org.vn | tcvn@issq.org.vn. We are honored to serve our valued customers!

Published date: 21/06/2023