Executive Committee

The Executive Committee (EXCO) is constituted as a Committee of the Council on Higher Education in terms of Section 11 of the Higher Education Act 2004. It serves as a standing Committee of the Council to make decisions in the intervening period between Council meetings.

Acting on behalf of the Council as per a formal decision of delegation, the responsibilities of the EXCO shall be to:

• Provide policy and strategic direction to CHE;
• Oversee the implementation and operation of the policy and functions of the CHE;
• Approve the appointment of the Directors of CHES and recommend appointment, removal and extension of contract for the Chief Executive to the Council;
• Ensure succession planning for Senior Management of the Council Secretariat;
• Establish procedures for the appointment, discipline and termination of appointments of the staff of the CHES;
• Approve interim operational plans and interim budgets of the CHE;
• Monitor management in implementing plans and strategies as approved by Council;
• Identify and regularly monitor key areas and key performance indicators of CHE;
• Advise the Minister on quality promotion and quality assurance as well as on any other aspects of the higher education system on its own or as and when so requested by the Minister;
• Regularly review processes and procedures to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of internal systems of control and accept responsibility for the total process of risk management;
• Consider programme accreditation recommendations made by the HEQAC for a final decision, subject to the proviso that a decision on the termination of a programme can only be taken by the full Council itself;
• Consider the outcomes of institutional audits into quality assurance arrangements at higher education institutions carried out by the HEQAC for a final decision subject to the proviso that a decision on the closing of any higher education institution can only be taken by the full Council itself;
• Assess the performance of the Chief Executive on a regular basis;
• Approve capital expenditure in excess of one million Maloti but less than two million Maloti;
• Present to the Council progress updates on general performance of the Council, feedback on implementation of Council resolutions, major decisions/resolutions made by EXCO as well as those issues referred for determination by the full Council; and
• Refer the following matters reserved for final decision/approval by the Council:

1. 1. 1. Strategic Plan, business or operational plan and annual budgets;
      2. Operational policies, organisational structure and remuneration for CHE staff;
      3. CHE Annual Report and Annual Financial Statements;
      4. Appointment to the office of and removal of the Chief Executive;
      5. Appointment to and removal of Council Committee members;
      6. Recommendations to the Minister for appointment of new Council members or extension of office term for serving members;
      7. The terms of reference of Council Committees, Council’s Code of Ethics and Council’s Conflict of Interest Policy;
      8. Recommendations to the Minister for approval of allowances and remuneration for Council members;
      9. Recommendations to the Minister for termination of a programme based on programme review carried out by the HEQAC;
      10. Recommendations to the Minister for the closing down of a higher education institution based on an institutional audit carried out by the HEQAC;
      11. Capital expenditure on behalf of the CHE in excess of two million Maloti
      12. The institution of, or defense by the CHE, of any legal proceedings having significant repercussions for the CHE