The proposed dissolution of the Agencia Reguladora do Ensino Superior (ARES) and reorganization of its functions has sparked a national debate in Cabo Verde. Amadéu Cruz, former Minister of Education, has weighed in on the discussion, emphasizing the importance of maintaining independence and technical autonomy in the evaluation, accreditation, and monitoring of higher education institutions. Cruz, who served in the government until June 2026, highlighted the progress made by ARES since its establishment in 2016.
ARES was created to separate policy-making and administrative functions from evaluation, accreditation, and monitoring, ensuring transparency and impartiality. The agency began operating in December 2018 and has since conducted institutional evaluations, accredited study programs, and monitored compliance. Cruz acknowledged that the process was gradual, building on previous experiences and involving the development of regulatory instruments, procedures, and technical capacities.
Between March 2022 and May 2023, ARES conducted a national evaluation of ten higher education institutions, using external evaluation committees comprising national and international experts. The process included self-assessment, site visits, technical reports, and institutional responses. The agency also developed follow-up procedures for recommendations and made decisions on various institutions. Additionally, ARES evaluated and accredited study programs, with some receiving conditional accreditation or non-accreditation.
Despite progress, Cruz recognized limitations and challenges faced by ARES, including human resource constraints, financing issues, and incomplete consolidation of quality assurance instruments. In April 2026, the government approved a new legal framework for higher education institutions, which maintained ARES's responsibilities and mandated a review of its statutes and procedures. Technical work on revising the agency's statutes began immediately.
The current government has the democratic legitimacy to propose changes to the higher education regulatory system, including the review of the ARES model. However, the debate must be conducted with serenity, technical grounding, and respect for institutions and individuals involved. The key priority is ensuring effective, transparent, and technically independent mechanisms for external evaluation, accreditation, and quality monitoring.
Cruz emphasized that the designation or administrative configuration of the responsible entity is secondary to ensuring the country's higher education system has credible and stable mechanisms. He stressed the importance of preserving autonomy and technical independence in evaluation, accreditation, and monitoring, while also recognizing the autonomy of scientific, pedagogical, and institutional aspects of universities.
The ongoing debate highlights the need for a well-regulated higher education system in Cabo Verde, with a focus on quality, transparency, and accountability. The government's proposals and the outcome of the review will have significant implications for the future of higher education in the country, and it is essential that all stakeholders engage constructively in the discussion.
Key points
- The proposed changes to ARES have sparked a national debate on the future of higher education regulation in Cabo Verde.
- The current government has the legitimacy to propose changes to the regulatory system, but the debate must be conducted with technical grounding and respect for institutions.
- The priority is ensuring effective, transparent, and technically independent mechanisms for external evaluation, accreditation, and quality monitoring.
