How to get ISO certification for schools, colleges and educational institutes?

Why ISO Certification?

ISO certification is not a mandatory requirement for all organizations. For some companies, it may be required by law or contractually. But regardless of size, type or method of delivery, the ISO certification is suitable for any school, colleges or educational institute. This ISO certification promotes the reputation and enhances the confidence in your training and learning services. Also, this certification helps you obtain the goals and objectives of your organization.

Applicable ISO certifications for educational institutions

Schools, colleges, and educational institutions are also organizations that provide learning and teaching services. These organizations also need to improve their management system to meet the students’ requirements. Here are some of the ISO standards which are compatible with educational institutions.

ISO 9001:

It is a globally recognized quality management system standard that helps establish the quality of the product and services the organization provides. This standard provides requirements to implement the quality in all aspects of the organization including administration services, applicants’ process, workshops, libraries, teaching services, etc.

ISO 14001:

This environmental management system standard helps the institutions to create a safe environment for the students, parents, staff and others.

ISO 45001:

The occupational health and safety management system standard also provides specific requirements to implement the OH&S management system of the organization. It ensures the safety of students and helps to have a better environment.

ISO 21001:

ISO has developed a specific standard ISO 21001 for Educational organizations. This international standard specifies requirements for schools, colleges and other educational institutions to implement their learning services. This standard also helps the organizations to provide quality educational products and services.

Please note that the ISO 21001 standard does not apply to the organizations that only produce or manufacture educational products. 

Procedures to achieve ISO certification

Don’t know the ways to attain ISO certification for your educational institutions. Here is the step by step advice to keep in mind, before applying for ISO certification.

Documentation:

Implement the ISO certification requirements to build a sturdy management system. Document your school’s process, way of teaching, learning services and activities. Allocate the roles and responsibility to improve work efficiency. Develop your organization’s policies and objectives in compliance with ISO standard requirements.

Scope of the certification:

Prepare the scope of the certification specific to your institution. The scope should demonstrate your organization’s process and related services.

ISO Certification audit:

After implementing the requirements, contact the ISO Certification body to initiate an audit. However, the certification body will come with a plan based on the information provided by your institution. Basically, the auditing procedure includes 2 stages.

Stage1 audit: The certification body will evaluate the processes and services provided by your organization. After evaluation, the audit report will be issued with non-conformities (if there are any deviations found during the audit procedure)

Stage2 audit: Based on the scope of the certification, the auditors will verify the technical documents whether they match the required ISO criteria. Finally, the certificate will be issued to the educational institutions.

ISO implementation process

  • Training: Provide awareness training for the individuals/employees/staff on specific ISO standard requirements that you have decided to implement in your institution. Also, let them understand the quality policy, objectives and teaching processes.
  • ISO certification cost: The cost of ISO certification depends on numerous factors of the educational institutions. For example, the size of the organization (Number of branches that provide the learning services), number of employees, etc.

Advantages of obtaining ISO certification for educational institutions

  • Promotes your learning services
  • Increases credibility
  • Enhances the expectations of learners and beneficiaries
  • Develops the confidence of the staffs
  • Demonstrates an institute ability in teaching, learning and research
  • Helps meet statutory and regulatory requirements
  • Improves people engagement
  • Provides universal recognition
  • Helps the organization to follow the socially acceptable practices

Top 4 facts to be considered while choosing ISO certification body

Make sure you have chosen the best ISO certification body! To gain complete guidance, it is necessary to select the right ISO certification body. This makes your certification journey valuable as well as enjoyable. Here are some of the basic criteria you need to check before selecting the certification body.

  1. Accreditation: 

The certification body should be accredited by the independent accreditation body to provide iso certification canada. Achieving the ISO certification through these kinds of certification bodies empowers your organization to get global recognition.

2.                  Reputation/credibility:

Reputed certification bodies are trustable and they provide effective services for your organizations to achieve desired goals and objectives.

3.                  Global recognition

This helps you achieve the globally recognized certificate and promotes your business internationally.

4.                  Quality of services

With high-quality services, the certification body helps you effectively implement all the requirements of the desired ISO standard.