This standard specifies quality requirements for an Education Management System.
In general, a quality management system is about identification of various processes (activities), why and how these are performed and documenting those processes, which are necessary for effective operation of the system. Further, as objective evidence some records have also to be established and maintained.
Education management system helps an educational organization to build in systems so that it is able to provide quality education consistently which result in enhancing students’ satisfaction and competitiveness. The first step necessary in establishment of an education management system is the commitment and involvement of top management. If the top management is not committed, then the intended benefits of establishing this system cannot be realized. It is not the purpose this standard to impose a totally new way of managing the education business. One should integrate this standard into its existing practices. The educational organization needs to identify what this standard requires and how these requirements relate to activities of the organization.
This comparison should identify the areas requiring further development of education management system. Probably many of the requirements are already being met or perhaps partially met. For example, when placing job advertisements for teachers, the job description, are written down; when an instruction is written on how some activity is to be carried out, a work instruction is being created. Similar other examples may include the students’ assessment plans, etc.
Having determined how the requirements of this standard apply to an educational organization, the next step is to look at the activities and record what is actually being done. It has to be seen which requirements of this standard are already being met and those which are not. It is important to realize that there should be no reason to substantially change the way the organization is functioning.
After doing this gap analysis and knowing the quantum of work, it has to be decided as to how much can be done within the organization? This depends upon availability of competent personnel, time and other resources. This will determine whether external assistance is required and if yes, to what extent and in which areas?
For the gaps identified, it has to be determined whether the documentation is compulsory as per requirements of this standard, for example, documentation of “Educational Quality Policy”, “Procedures on corrective action”, “Preventive action”, “Document control”, etc. If some documentation is required, responsibility should be assigned. It is important that all people in the organization are involved in this process and one individual should not be made responsible for carrying out all jobs. It should also be ensured that documentation as per the requirements of this standard and also those necessary for effective operation of the education practices are established.
Scope
- needs to demonstrate its ability to consistently provide education service that meets students’ requirement conforming with applicable statutory and regulatory requirements, and
- aims to enhance the satisfaction of students and other key stakeholders through effective application of its education system, including processes for continual improvement of the system and assurance of conformity to students’ and other key stakeholders’ requirements and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.