The Tripoli based Minister of Economy and Trade issued Decision No. 385 of 2026 yesterday regarding provisions for private educational institutions.
The Ministry said this move supports the Ministry of Education-led initiative to regulate the operations of private educational institutions and strengthens institutional coordination between the Ministry of Economy and Trade and the Ministry of Education, ensuring that private educational institutions comply with applicable legal and regulatory standards.
The decision was issued based on legislation governing economic activity and in coordination with the Ministry of Education. Its aim is to standardize procedures for granting and renewing commercial licenses for private educational institutions, thereby enhancing the efficiency of regulation and oversight within this vital sector.
The decision stipulates that permits for private educational institutions (kindergartens and basic education schools) shall be issued only to entities that have obtained approval from the Ministry of Education. Furthermore, no commercial registry extracts may be issued or renewed without first obtaining the necessary permits from the competent ministry.
The decision also mandates that local commercial registry offices and commercial licensing offices refrain from issuing or renewing any documents or licenses for private educational institutions until all legal procedures have been completed and their status regularized in accordance with applicable legislation, ensuring procedural uniformity among the competent authorities.
The decision mandates the Ministry of Education and Higher Education to provide the Ministry of Economy and Commerce with the authorized signatures of officials responsible for issuing permits to operate private educational institutions; this aims to circulate these signatures to relevant authorities and enhance the reliability of procedures and the integrity of transactions.
The decision also stipulates that the validity period for commercial licenses of private educational institutions shall be one year—commencing on August 1st and ending on July 31st of the following year—thereby standardizing the licensing and renewal cycle.
The Ministry of Economy and Commerce affirmed that this decision is part of its ongoing efforts to develop the regulatory environment for economic activities, foster integration among state institutions, and ensure that activities are conducted within established legal frameworks.
These measures, it added, contribute to elevating the quality of private educational services and embedding principles of governance and transparency in the licensing process and the conduct of economic activities.