Title: Influence of University Review Models for Improving Higher Education Quality Assurance in Kenya
Authors: Sharon Onditi, Jeremiah Osida Onunga
Volume: 8
Issue: 12
Pages: 174-183
Publication Date: 2024/12/28
Abstract:
- Declining quality assurance (QA) and stakeholders ' expectations are critical emerging issues in Kenya's higher education and development sector. Whereas universities are well placed to prepare human capital resources, there is growing worry that many universities rely heavily on theoretical pedagogy in teaching and learning as opposed to practical, hands-on, research and application. Quality assurance is a concern in the initiation of liberalization and globalization and therefore universities are not meeting stakeholders' expectations. This paper focuses on statistical process control and total quality management as emerging portents by reflecting on university review prototypes as a measure to combat quality assurance issues in Higher Education. Using the content analysis technique, the study explores the current quality assurance policy framework and handbook on processes for quality assurance in higher education and relevant scholarly literature in the body of knowledge to conclude. Results show evidence of a downward trend in quality assurance in universities. The study links decreasing quality of higher education to skewed content design and delivery at universities. Unvarying unrest amongst university staff demanding pay rise has negatively affected the inspiration of staff, leading to inefficient and ineffective service delivery. The study asserts that industry involvement through partnerships to design and develop market-tailor-made curricula is a significant preposition for quality assurance. The study recommends that the Government of Kenya apportion more resources to universities for studentship support of staff to pursue research; design market-tailored programmes; and, harmonize salaries of university staff with public civil servants for motivation and effective quality service delivery.