ZAQA - The Zambia Qualifications Authority

The Zambia Qualifications Authority Act No. 13 of 2011 was enacted by the Government of the Republic of Zambia to “provide for the development and implementation of a national qualifications framework; establish the Zambia Qualifications Authority; provide measures to ensure that standards and registered qualifications are internationally comparable; and provide for matters connected with, or incidental to the foregoing”.

The Zambia Qualifications Authority was operationalised in October 2014 as a statutory body under the Ministry of Higher Education.  The functions of the Authority are to:(a)  develop, oversee and maintain a national qualification framework for Zambia;

(b)  develop and implement policy and criteria, after consultation with the appropriate authority, for the development,accreditation and publication of qualifications and part-qualifications, which shall include the following requirements:

(i)   the relevant sub-framework shall be identified on any document  relating to the accreditation and publication of a qualification or part – qualification; and

(ii)  each sub-framework shall have a distinct nomenclature for its qualification types which is appropriate to the relevant sub-framework and consistent with international practice;

(c)   accredit a qualification or part-qualification recommended by an appropriate authority if it meets the relevant criteria;

(d)  develop policy and criteria after consultation with the appropriate authorities for assessment, recognition of prior learning and credit accumulation and transfer;

(e)  develop the content of level descriptors for each level of the Framework and reach agreement on the content with the appropriate authorities;

(f)  publish the agreed level descriptors in the Gazette and ensure that the levels remain current and appropriate;

(g) ensure that standards and accredited qualifications are internationally comparable;

(h) determine national standards for any occupation;

(i)  recognise and validate competencies for purposes of certification obtained outside the formal education and training systems;

(j) recognise and validate competencies for purposes of certification obtained outside the country;

(k) collaborate with its international counterparts on all matters of mutual interest concerning qualification frameworks;

(l) keep a database of learning achievements in Zambia;

(m) advise the Minister on matters pertaining to the Framework; and

(n) do all such things as are necessary or conclusive for the achievement of the purposes of this Act.