An Assessment of the Implementation of Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Private Higher Education Institutions in Ethiopia
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Date
2008-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study was concerned with implementation of quality assurance and accreditation system
in private higher education institutions in Ethiopia being delimited to nine institutions found
in Addis Ababa, and to identifY the outcome as well as the problems encountered in
translating it into practice. It was also aimed at suggesting alternative solutions. In order to
achieve this end, the descriptive survey approach was employed. Questionnaires were
distributed to instructors and department heads in the nine private higher education
institutions, and interviews were conducted with officials of the same institutions and that of
HERQA on the issue under consideration. The data obtained were, then, analyzed using
various statistical techniques such as percentages and chi-square tests.
The findings of the study suggested that, in most cases, certain variables which were assumed
to be program quality indicators like objectives, contents, organization, and didactic concept
of a program were considered to be significantly adequate. However, other components of
program quality such as staff quality, student quality, facilities and in/i'astructure, quality
assurance system, student evaluation mechanisms, curriculum deSign, staff development
activities, feedback /i'om stakeholders, and out put quality were found to be very low. Apart
from this, the fact that some of the expected institution quality indicators like clarity of
mission statements, policy plan, jUnding status, educational activities, and human resources
in aggregate stipulations were regarded as adequate. Other variables for instance,
institutional achievement, management system, stakeholder satisfaction, research activities,
contribution to society, and subject benchmarking were found to be significantly low in many
private higher education institutions. In line with this, the data obtained revealed that the
implementation status of the sole regulatory organ of quality assurance and accreditation
system (i.e., HERQA) was also jiJund to be weak in general. On top of that, government
support to the institutions in the private sector in areas of access to incentives, provision of
short-term training, provision of technical support, and fostering public-private partnership
was extremely low.
To this effect, the implementation practice of quality assurance and accreditation system in
many private higher education institutions in Ethiopia has been seriously impaired in
contrary to the expected policy directions. Thus, it is recommended that all concerned bodies
(private institutions, the regulatolY body - HERQA, and the government) have to take
immediate measures. Accordingly, private higher education institutions should develop
mechanisms so as to have adequate resources qualitatively and quantitatively pertinent to
quality assurance and accreditation. Researches have to be conducted in such a way that the
principles of quality of program as well as institution in the higher education system of the
private sector would be translated into practice. HERQA should also strengthen its overall
capacity in the area of discharging the expected duties and responsibilities and it should be
empowered to "stand on its legs ". Moreover, the government should support private higher
education institutions in terms of incentives, training, and the like based on the policy
directions on the issue under consideration.
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