Are you a business owner of an educational institution? And looking for an impressive way to run your business and to promote your learning services? Then stop searching! ISO certification gives you the positive reputation you need! This certification helps establish the quality and competence of your educational institution.
Like other organizations and companies, educational institutions such as schools, colleges are also in the place to demonstrate their position in providing high-quality services to their customers. In other words, educational institutions are in the position to prove their ability in delivering quality learning services to their students. This can be done easily with the help of ISO certification.
In this topic, we will help you know more about the ISO certification, the applicable ISO standards for the educational organizations, and the importance of achieving the ISO certificate.
What are the benefits will my institute gain by achieving an ISO certificate?
ISO certification is a globally recognized certification of an organization that has a well-built management system, follows quality processes and provides effective services.
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has developed more than 20000 standards to help different types of businesses. These standards are carefully proposed to be applicable for all organizations including educational institutions. The educational institution is also an organization that provides learning/training services. So by implementing the requirements of the ISO standards, the educational organization can gain the following benefits.
• Learners satisfaction
First and foremost, achieving the ISO certification helps you to satisfy the learners and other beneficiaries by meeting their expectations.
• Sturdy internal management system
To meet the requirements of the learners, you should have a better internal management system. The ISO standard provides requirements to construct a powerful management system to achieve the intended goals and objectives by providing quality services.
• International recognition
ISO certifications are globally accepted certifications. It establishes your organization’s ability in teaching, learning and research. This helps you get worldwide recognition.
• Increases the confidence of the staff/employees
Other than enhancing the confidence of the learners, the ISO certification also boosts the confidence of the staff/employees in your services.
• Enhances reputation
The standard develops the management system of the organization to deliver high-quality services. It promotes the competency and lets you shine among your competitors.
Is ISO certificate necessary for educational organizations?
The answer is No; Obtaining the ISO certification is not a mandatory requirement of the standard. You can build an effective management system just by following the specifications of the ISO standards. Although it is not mandatory, it helps your business to impress the learners and other beneficiaries and allows you to meet the statutory requirements.
What are the possible ISO standards for educational organizations?
The requirements of ISO certification standards are suitable for all organizations, regardless of their sizes and types. Here are some of the possible ISO standards which can portray the overall performance of your educational organization.
• ISO 9001 quality management system standard
This generic standard provides requirements to implement administration services, application processes, teaching methods and services, etc. It helps the organizations to develop processes that comply with its policies and objectives.
• ISO 14001 environmental management system standard
Develop a great environment for the learners to enjoy their learning comfortably in a nice environment by implementing the ISO 14001 standard.
• ISO 45001 occupational health and safety management system standard
Create a safe environment for the students, parents, staff, and others with the ISO 45001 Certification. It helps reduce accidents in the organization environment and the damages to the equipment. This ensures students’ safety.
• ISO 21001 for educational organizations
ISO 21001:2018 is a specifically developed standard for educational organizations. It specifies requirements to enhance the satisfaction of learners. The specifications of this standard help the organizations which provide educational products and services to meet the customers’ expectations. Achieving this certification will surely show you unique from other competitors.
[Note: As per ISO. org, the ISO 21001:2018 management system Certification standard does not apply to the company that only produces and delivers educational products and services.]
What is the process to get ISO certificate?
Want to obtain the ISO certification for your educational institution? It will be helpful if you follow the following procedures. This helps you meet the intended results.
• Documentation
Prepare the documents of the school process, teaching methods, learning services, workshop activities, library records, etc. This documented information will speak for you in the certification audit.
• Implementation
Enhance your organization’s policies and objectives according to the ISO standard requirement. Promote the management system, operational process, and services in compliance with ISO criteria. Assign the roles and responsibilities to the staff to avoid the miscommunication.
• Awareness Training
Educate your staff to understand the ISO standard and the objectives of your organization. This provides job satisfaction for the employees and increases the process efficiency.
• Gap analysis
Conduct a gap analysis to find out the flaws and gaps in the implementation process. Rectify them effectively before the certification audit begins.
• Scope of the certification
After implementing the management system, send a proposal to the certification body to initiate the ISO certification. The proposal is called the scope of the certification. It should state the exact process of your organization (what it does). It helps auditors to prepare a plan accordingly.
• Certification audit
Generally, the certification audit includes 2 stages. in stage 1 audit, the auditors will verify the documents, records and reports and also evaluate your organization’s competence in delivering the learning services. If there are any sections that need further improvement, the auditors will provide the deviation report with the audit report.
You should take the effective actions to implement the non-conformities. In the stage-2 audit, the auditors will assess the overall management system to verify whether it met the requirements of the ISO criteria. The auditors will close the non-conformities if they are implemented flawlessly. Finally, the auditing team will provide the audit report and the ISO certificate.
The initial certificate is valid for 3 years. The surveillance audit will be conducted annually to ensure the continual improvement of your management system process. Once the validity of the initial certification is over, you should renew the certificate to maintain it. The renewal of ISO certification is called a re-certification audit.

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