The Kurdistan Accrediting Association for Education (KAAE) was established in June 2022 under the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to advance educational quality and accountability. KAAE promotes institutional excellence through transparent, evidence-based accreditation practices. Our primary mission is to enhance the quality of education in the Kurdistan Region while fostering a culture of continuous improvement, transparency, and accountability.
As an administratively independent association, KAAE receives support from the KRG and collaborates closely with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. Together, we establish rigorous standards for educational quality assurance and provide effective mechanisms for their implementation. Additionally, KAAE assists both ministries in developing and upholding policies to ensure quality education throughout the region.
Purpose of Accreditation
Accreditation provides a formal assurance that an institution meets or exceeds nationally endorsed standards of quality. Through an independent and evidence-based review process, accreditation evaluates whether an institution is fulfilling its mission, supporting student learning, and operating with integrity and effectiveness. It reinforces accountability to students, families, and the public by confirming that schools and universities follow clear expectations for governance, teaching, resources, and continuous improvement. Accreditation also promotes institutional transparency, strengthens public trust, and encourages ongoing development to enhance the educational experience across the Kurdistan Region.
Mission
The Kurdistan Accrediting Association for Education establishes, organizes and sustains mechanisms for the peer review and rigorous application of standards across education in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. It aims to promote educational excellence through the implementation and sustainability of accreditation and monitoring procedures, by affirming to the public and students that public and private educational institutions follow national standards and are committed to integrity, accountability and continuous improvement.
Vision
The Kurdistan Accrediting Association for Education will be an accreditor of choice to support, foster, and maintain quality assurance of education to ensure excellence in teaching and learning matching international best standards.
Core Values
The Kurdistan Accrediting Association for Education (KAAE) was established pursuant to Law No. (6) of 2022, approved by the Kurdistan Regional Parliament on June 22, 2022, and promulgated through Presidential Decree No. (11) of 2022.
Under this law, KAAE is granted independent legal personality and the statutory authority to develop accreditation standards, evaluate educational institutions, and grant accreditation to K–12 schools and higher education institutions throughout the Kurdistan Region.
The law entered into force upon its publication in the Official Gazette (Waqayi’ al-Kurdistan), Issue No. 286, dated August 4, 2022.
