Management, infrastructure and faculty of selected emerging universities in Kabwe.
Date
2017
Authors
Chisenga, Jacob
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
Quality in education is a concept that is of paramount importance. In studies of quality issues in education all over the world, it is pointed out that there is as yet no consensus on the definition of the term “quality”. Although it cannot easily be quantified in education terms, factors objecting its enhancement can however be determined based on the perceptions of the various stakeholders entwined to the education system. Among the identified factors critical for quality education are management, faculty, and infrastructure, and these are proving elusive for Universities even worse for emerging ones. Thus the general objective of this study was to assess the quality of management, faculty, and infrastructure in emerging universities as these are crucial for quality education. This study investigated three emerging universities, one public university called Kwame Nkurumah University, and two private called Paglory and Mukuni universities, in Kabwe district of Zambia. This research employed a descriptive survey design method were both qualitative and quantitative data are used to explain a present conditions as viewed and interpreted through
various responses. The study used a sample size of 80 respondents who were purposefully selected from the sample population. A questionnaire, and semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from the respondents. Quantitative data was analysed using inferential statistics while qualitative data was analysed thematically. The following were the major findings from the research. Firstly, it was found out that the faculty of the emerging universities was not fully qualified. It was observed that some lecturers lacked proper qualifications and experience in both types of
universities. For example, in the public university, some lecturers were still degree holders teaching degree programmes and even worse in the private sector where some lecturers were diploma holders teaching degree programmes. Other findings revealed that the major factors hindering delivery of quality education as perceived by faculty include: Inadequate resources (modern books, printers, projectors, and computers); inadequate lecture halls; Curriculum not up to date; Lack of active research; and limited sponsorship for further education. On infrastructure, it was established that the general state of infrastructure was poor and also inadequate to meet both faculty and students teaching/learning needs. The universities were observed to have inadequate lecture halls, lecturers’ offices, and other infrastructural learning facilities. Lecturers in the public university were forced to share offices while in the private university, some were reduced to using their motor vehicles as their offices. The study also uncovered three major challenges facing management of the emerging universities. It was found out that management of these universities were predominantly faced
by financial constraints, inadequate infrastructure and faculty retention. Respondents in both types of the universities further singled out the financial constraint as the source of all managerial problems. Some strategies that had been put in place to alleviate these challenges included the introduction of distance students who brought in additional funding, sponsorship of lecturers for further education to improve faculty retention, and partnering with the international community for funding. It was also observed that better and adequate infrastructure is being constructed to mitigate the infrastructure problem. Based on the findings of the study, the level of faculty, infrastructure and management of these emerging universities is below standard with the public sector performing better than the private sector in all the areas. The study recommended that all universities practice revenue
diversification as a way of reducing dependency on the available limited sources of finance and strongly advocates for non-monetary motivational strategies such as recognition, and sponsorship for further education to retain faculty. Finally, it is recommended that the ministry of Higher Education should physically assess the management, infrastructure, and faculty of all institutions before registering such as a university.
Description
Thesis of Master of Education in Educational Management.