The Higher Education Authority (HEA) has revealed alarming findings following audits at several Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) across Zambia. A series of nine incidental audits confirmed allegations that some institutions had enrolled students who did not meet the minimum entry requirements of five O-Level credits or better. This breach of academic protocols has led to immediate directives aimed at addressing the irregularities and ensuring that HEIs adhere to national educational standards.
Incidental audits are conducted by the HEA when there is suspicion of mismanagement, either of academic processes or public funds. In this case, the audits focused on the academic processes, particularly the enrollment of students without meeting the stipulated academic requirements.
The HEA’s findings uncovered that numerous students, particularly in the first to third-year levels, were admitted to colleges without the mandatory five O-Level credits. The HEA has taken decisive action, instructing the implicated institutions to implement the following measures immediately:
- First-year students who have been enrolled but do not meet the entry requirements must cease their studies and cannot continue until they have obtained a full Grade 12 Certificate with at least five O-Level credits or better.
- Second-year students who were allowed to enroll without meeting the entry criteria will be required to stop learning and will not advance to their third year until they obtain a full Grade 12 certificate with at least five O-Level credits or better.
- Third-year students, particularly those who are due to commence teaching practice, must hold a full Grade 12 Certificate with at least five O-Level credits before they can proceed with their practical training.
In addition to these corrective measures, the HEA has called on all HEIs to comply with the national entry requirements of at least five O-Level credits. Institutions failing to meet these standards will be subjected to further scrutiny.
To ensure compliance, the HEA has announced that it will conduct a follow-up audit in the second quarter of 2025. Any HEI found violating these directives will face punitive measures, reinforcing the importance of adherence to academic integrity and standards.
The HEA’s stance is clear: these reforms are essential to uphold the credibility of Zambia’s higher education system and ensure that institutions are not compromising academic quality for the sake of enrollment numbers. The public and students alike are urged to ensure that their educational institutions uphold these standards for the benefit of the nation’s future workforce.
For now, the focus is on restoring confidence in Zambia’s higher education system, with the HEA actively monitoring compliance and ensuring that only deserving students are granted the opportunity to continue their academic journeys.
