Initial assessment and re-assessment of study programme groups

The purpose of initial assessment and re-assessment of study programme groups is to grant the right to provide instruction in a new group of programmes.

The procedure for granting the right to provide instruction in a new group of programme:

• The school submits an application and the materials needed to commence the proceedings to the Ministry of Education and Research.
• The Ministry of Education and Research establishes whether the materials comply with the requirements set out in the legal acts and commissions an initial assessment of the group of programmes from HAKA on the basis of the regulation laid down by the vocational education assessment council. The vocational education assessment council makes one of the following proposals to the Minister for Education and Research based on the assessment report:
  a) to grant the school the right to provide instruction without a term;
  b) to grant the right to provide instruction for three years;
  c) not to grant the right to provide instruction.
• If the group of programmes receives the right to provide instruction without a term, it will undergo regular quality assessments in the future, taking place at least once every six years. The result of the quality assessment is not linked to the right to provide instruction. Unlinking quality assessment from the right to provide instruction means that the assessment focuses more on the school’s development. A shorter term of assessment does not necessarily indicate non-compliance with national regulations but rather shows new development needs and opportunities.
• If a school receives the initial right to provide instruction for three years, a re-assessment will be conducted on the basis of the relevant regulation adopted by the vocational education assessment council. The vocational education assessment council makes one of the following proposals to the Minister for Research and Education based on the assessment report of the assessment committee:
  a) to grant the school the right to provide instruction without a term;
  b) to grant the right to provide instruction for three years;
  c) not to grant the right to provide instruction.
  The Minister for Education and Research is entitled to revoke the right to provide instruction if HAKA vocational education assessment council makes a recommendation for the third time to grant the right to provide instruction in that group of programmes for three years.

Find the guidelines for VET here.