The association of Independent Colleges, Private Schools and ECD Centres is the largest membership organisation for Independent Colleges, Private Schools and ECD Centres in Zimbabwe.

AICZ serves over 500 member colleges across a broad range of socio economic and cultural communities. Our member colleges, private schools and ECD centres educate more than 61000 pupils. AICZ, serves as the common denominator of shared values and practices primarily among the divers Independent colleges, private schools and ECD centres in Zimbabwe.

AICZ is a non profit organisation that provides its members with services to protect their interests, promote best practice and support quality education.

Any independent college, private school or ECD centre may apply for AICZ full membership or Associate membership, provided it meets the association`s quality requirements. Each member college, school pays joining and annual subscription fee Membership of AICZ.

Any independent college, private school or ECD centre may apply for AICZ full membership or Associate membership, provided it meets the association`s quality requirements. Each member college, school pays joining and annual subscription fee Membership of AICZ.

The main objective of the Association is to augment government efforts of providing accessible quality education, with a life-long competency based learning component to all persons within Zimbabwe.

The aims and objectives of the Association are to identify, advance, promote and protect the collective interests of the non-government educational sector in Zimbabwe through:

a) Being the voice of, and airing the concerns and interests of the Independent Colleges to relevant authorities.

b) Lobbying the state legislature, government ministries and departments, local authorities, captains of industry and all stakeholders on behalf of members’ interests.

c) Assisting MOPSE and other relevant authorities in identifying and engaging illegal/ unlicensed/unregistered independent colleges within Zimbabwe.

d) Providing advice to affiliated and potential member colleges on the impact of educational policies through staff development initiatives conforming to Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education policies.

e) Addressing the impact of legislation on the operations of independent colleges.

f) Addressing matters relating to college governance through establishing Professional Standards to foster adherence to acceptable best practices by members.

g) Increasing public awareness as well as improving public perception of independent colleges.

h) Acting as a liaison with other colleges/educational organisations at district, provincial, national and international levels.

i) Assisting the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education in regulating member adherence to Ministry regulations as well as fostering transparency in the operations of independent colleges in Zimbabwe.

To recommend Association officers for appointment by the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education into the Non-Government Education Council /Council of Independent Colleges, to influence and direct the overall activities and economic contribution of Independent Colleges in Zimbabwe.

• Provide service in a professional manner to the highest standard, while maintaining an efficient member centric operation, responsive to a diagramic and complex environment.

• Champion independent education as leader in governance and policy in the sector, while maintaining strong relationships with government and other relevant authorities.

• Promote the sustainability of the sector as the largest most representation organisation in Zimbabwe and ensure the long term financial volubility of AICZ in carrying out its mandate efficiently

• Be a thought leader in the section pioneering innovations and embracing technology in education inorder to unlock the collective intellectual capital of the region.

• Be the sector leader for transformation in independent education while representing, promoting and protecting the common interest of the broader membership.

To be a leading organization in guiding Independent Colleges for life long highly professional and skilled global individuals.

AICZ has core values and they are: -

¥ Integrity

¥ Discipline

¥ Diligence

¥ Peer review/ self – regulation

¥ Student learning

¥ Continuous Quality

¥ Improvement

¥ Accountability

¥ Transparency