We have often heard about standards, metrology, and quality management, but many people only think these concepts apply to products and goods. In reality, processes and services also require strict management and control, including educational activities.

ISO 21001

In fact, the education sector has existed for a very long time. However, within the field of standards, education is still considered a relatively new area that organizations and countries are focusing on. While standards such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 appeared as early as the 1990s, ISO 21001 was first introduced in 2011, with the latest version currently being ISO 21001:2018.

Previously, there were very few standards suitable for the specific characteristics of the education sector. Most educational organizations seeking certification chose to establish and implement a Quality Management System according to ISO 9001:2015 — one of the most widely recognized standards in the world and applicable to all organizations and industries.

However, to meet the development demands of the modern era, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) introduced a dedicated standard for educational organizations: ISO 21001:2018 – Educational Organizations — Management Systems for Educational Organizations — Requirements with Guidance for Use.

Purpose

ISO 21001:2018 is an independent management system standard based on ISO 9001 and aligned with other ISO management system standards through the application of the PDCA cycle structure and risk-based thinking. This standard focuses on the specific interactions between an educational organization, learners, customers, and other relevant interested parties.

Scope of Application

ISO 21001:2018 establishes processes and specifies requirements for management systems for educational organizations when the organization:

• Needs to demonstrate its ability to support the acquisition and development of competence through teaching, learning, or research;
• Aims to enhance the satisfaction of learners, other beneficiaries, and staff through system improvement processes and conformity assurance;
• Applies to any organization using a curriculum to support competence development through teaching, learning, or research, regardless of type, size, or delivery method;
• Applies to educational organizations within larger organizations whose core business is not education, such as professional training departments;
• Does not apply to organizations that only produce or manufacture educational products.

Benefits

ISO 21001 provides potential benefits for organizations that have implemented or are implementing management systems for educational organizations, specifically:

• Better alignment between objectives, activities, and policies (including mission and vision);
• Enhanced social responsibility by providing quality educational services for everyone;
• More effective learning and research outcomes for all learners, especially learners with special educational needs, distance learners, and lifelong learning opportunities;
• Increased organizational credibility and stronger trust from learners and interested parties;
• Consistent assessment processes and tools to demonstrate and improve competence and effectiveness;
• A culture of continual organizational improvement;
• Harmonization of regional standards, national standards, open standards, proprietary standards, and other standards within an international framework;
• Expanded participation of interested parties;
• Encouragement of excellence and innovation.

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

Please contact us via hotline: (+84) 981851111 | (+84) 2422661111 or email: vienchatluong@issq.org.vn | tcvn@issq.org.vn

Published Date: January 7, 2022