Browsing by Author "Bwana, Wambesyo Michael"

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Liberalisation of university education and the learning environment in public universities in Uganda: a case study of Kyambogo University
(Kyambogo University (Unpublished work), 2018-10) Bwana, Wambesyo Michael
`This study sought to establish the influence of liberalisation of University education on the learning environment of Public Universities. Kyambogo University was used as a case study. Specifically, the study examined students' enrolment, funding mechanisms and customer orientation and their effect on the learning environment in Kyambogo University. The study adopted a case study design and it employed quantitative and qualitative paradigms. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, simple linear and multiple regression analyses, while qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and a key informant interview guide. A total of 101 respondents participated in the study. They included 89 randomly selected students and 12 key informants from University senior officers and student leaders. It was found out that the increased students' enrolment had lowered the quality of learning environment at the University. Students were not able to freely access learning resources, materials and learner support. The University was not able to use the tuition fees paid by students to provide a conducive learning context that has counselling, mentoring, teaching assistants, libraries, online resources and technology. Despite private students being the major sources of income for the University, they were not given adequate opportunity to influence provision of learning services. There were no services planning, implementation and monitoring opportunities given to students. Students' participation would enable the University to better identify their needs, make appropriate budgetary allocations and monitoring of effective resources utilization. This would increase the provision of a better learning environment. It was further found that the learning environment largely depends on students' enrolment and that ability of the University to effectively use the funds generated to provide key learning resources and promote collaborative and collective decision-making with students regarding the provision of services and allocation of resources. Thus, it was recommended that a new quality assurance standard be instituted that motivates Universities to allocate about 40% of their funds to learning infrastructure development. The NCHE should amend the rights of Universities and include students' rights so as to promote the motivation by Universities to meet the needs of the students more fully. Universities need to provide frameworks and opportunities for Student leaders to supervise administrative and managerial roles of University officers in charge of learning environments. Universities need to empower students and their leaders to demand for services that are commensurate with the fees they pay. To reduce enrolment in Public Universities, the government should improve on the quality of other Tertiary Institutions such as Polytechnics, Technical Institutions, Community Colleges and Adult education so that they attract students away from Public Universities.