Amala achieves international accreditation
The result of a rigorous three-year process, we are delighted to announce that Amala has been accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)!
CIS and NEASC collaborated to jointly accredit Amala and our Global Secondary Diploma (GSD) programme, using the CIS International Accreditation framework to benchmark its quality with international standards and practices. This is the first time either agency has considered and granted accreditation to an organisation working in a refugee context.
Jane Larsson, Executive Director of CIS, said:
“It has been a privilege and inspiration for all of us at CIS to witness the transformative impact of education on the people and communities served by Amala.”
The accreditation is critical to wider recognition of Amala and our programme, and will open up more opportunities for our graduates, including access to higher education. At present, only 41% of refugee youth and children are enrolled in secondary education, and just 7% access higher education. Amala’s now accredited GSD programme contributes to changing that narrative. The accreditation also marks an advance for refugee education globally, as it will help Amala seek the support to enable our long-term goal of enabling millions of refugee youth to access transformative education.
“This is a landmark moment for Amala. Such an important verdict from two of the most highly-regarded peer review accreditation agencies in the world has given us confidence in the education that Amala provides. It is an education designed for the particular circumstances of refugee youth, but we now know that it can be considered a world-class education as well.”
Majd, a Syrian alumnus of the first cohort of the GSD in Jordan, who secured a place to study Psychology at University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) in Canada said:
"When I graduated, I talked about Amala's Global Secondary Diploma with many universities and colleges. Most of the Admissions Officers I engaged with jaws’ dropped when they learnt about the methods used at Amala, and many said, "this looks like the future of education", and is part of why I was admitted to UPEI’s Psychology Undergraduate Degree!”
The CIS and NEASC accreditation will support Amala to develop wider recognition of the programme, and will enable more Amala graduates to access a greater range of educational opportunities. In 2022-23, graduates from the Global Secondary Diploma went on to access multiple pathways after finishing the programme: 48% of our alumni enter further education and training, of which 19% have gone on to higher education (12% higher than the global average for refugees), 44% were involved in setting up or leading social enterprises and community initiatives, and 40% started work. With the new accredited status, Amala GSD alumni, most of whom are from a refugee, displaced or otherwise crisis-affected background, will have even more opportunities available for further study and work as more universities and employers recognise the programme.
“The moment I received my letter of acceptance, my hope was reignited. I think that this accreditation will help open up hope for my peers too.”
Trillium Hibbeln, Director of the Commission on International Education at NEASC, said:
“Amala is doing profoundly important work and it is our honour to walk with them in their journey.”
Read more about Amala’s accreditation journey on our blog.
Learn more about what it means to be CIS accredited.
Any questions? Read our Frequently Asked Questions about accreditation.
More about the Council of International Schools (CIS)
The Council of International Schools is a global membership community shaping the future of international education. CIS leads a collaborative global membership community of more than 1,500 schools and higher education institutions, in 120 countries, exploring and developing effective practices to foster healthy, interculturally competent global citizens. CIS connects ideas and cultures across the world, developing socially responsible leadership through international education.
More about the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
The New England Association of Schools and Colleges is an independent, voluntary, nonprofit membership organisation which partners with over 1500 public, independent, and international schools in the US and worldwide to assess, support, and promote high quality education for all students through accreditation, professional assistance, and pursuit of best practices.