An Examination On The Influence Of Liberalization Of University Education On The Quality Of Teaching And Learning In Universities In Eastern Uganda

Abstract

Liberalization of education is the breaking of the governments‟ monopoly in the provision and managing of the education system by giving free hand to private involvement in the provision and management of education. This study was undertaken to establish the influence of liberalization of university education on the quality of teaching and learning in universities in Eastern Uganda. The study was guided by five research objectives that focused on; the profile of students, the quality of teaching staff, teaching approaches, assessment and the teaching and learning environment. The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional survey research design. The target population of the study composed of Academic Managers, academic staff and students‟ leaders plus National Council for Higher Education officials. A total population of 1012 was targeted from six universities and the sample size of 286 was selected. The participants were selected using both random and non random sampling techniques that included, cluster sampling, purposive and simple random. Data was collected using questionnaires and interview guides. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS computer software (Version 16) to generate frequencies, percentages, mean, and standard deviation. Inferential statistics analysis was done using Pearson correlation coefficient and linear Regression analysis to determine the type of relationships and strength between liberalization of university education and the constructs of quality of teaching and learning. Thematic content analysis was done to analyze qualitative data. The data was presented objective by objective in tables and narrations. The findings also exposed that liberalization of university education has a statistically significant effect the quality of teaching and learning Eastern Uganda. It is concluded that liberalization of university education has an influence on the quality of teaching and learning in universities in this region. it is recommended that close monitoring needs to be done by National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) to ensure compliance in admission requirements, universities should provide for training of teaching staff to ensure employment of pedagogies that enhance teaching learners for lifelong learning. They should also provide for mentoring of staff, devise approaches that foster formative assessment that is done during the learning process rather than summative assessment. It is further recommended that liberalization of university education should be enhanced and encouraged because it has a great potential to improve the quality of teaching and produce the graduates that are capable of participating in growth and development.