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An Exploratory Assessment of Quality Assurance Practices in Higher Institutions of Learning in Ghana
Abstract
Quality Assurance Practices of Public Higher Institutions of Learning in Ghana has been assessed with the aim of classifying the level of the practice as Excellent, High, Above Average, Ordinary or Poor. A conceptual framework that combined both quantitative and qualitative techniques in a heuristic approach was adopted. The process of classification involved a self-developed framework and a weighting system that measured nine (9) quality indicators. This included Policy and Planning, Standardization of Programs, Program Implementation, Resources, Leadership, Customer Focus, Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanism, Perceived Image and Reputation. General conclusions on the status of the institutions were drawn by inductive logic. Three Institutions were purposively selected to
cover Academic, Professional, and Specialist Institute. The QAPs were classified by weighted proportions of the measured indicators, as Poor (0 – 49 %), Ordinary (50 – 59 %), Above Average ((60 – 69 %), High quality (70 – 79 %), and Excellent or World class excellence (80 – 100 %). The research methodology involved quantifying opinions, views, and perceptions that respondents held about the practice of Quality Assurance (QA) in the selected Institutions. Additionally, ‘t’ and z-tests were used to determine the statistical significance of observed weighted values computed from the self-developed framework, at 1 % significance
level (α = 0.01). MINITAB software was used for the analysis at 1% significance level (α = 0.01). the results indicated that with a cumulative average of 58.95%, and a test statistic (- 0.05) corresponding with a critical value of (-0.29), there seemed to be enough evidence to
suggest that within the limits of errors in the study, the test statistic is not significantly different from the range (50 – 59%). Therefore it was concluded that Quality Assurance Practices in Public Higher Institutions of Learning in Ghana can be classified as Ordinary. In addition, awareness and insight of QA issues were generally low. Management
Intervention as well as Systems for coordinating and monitoring QAPs in Higher Institutions of learning in Ghana must be established and made functional.
cover Academic, Professional, and Specialist Institute. The QAPs were classified by weighted proportions of the measured indicators, as Poor (0 – 49 %), Ordinary (50 – 59 %), Above Average ((60 – 69 %), High quality (70 – 79 %), and Excellent or World class excellence (80 – 100 %). The research methodology involved quantifying opinions, views, and perceptions that respondents held about the practice of Quality Assurance (QA) in the selected Institutions. Additionally, ‘t’ and z-tests were used to determine the statistical significance of observed weighted values computed from the self-developed framework, at 1 % significance
level (α = 0.01). MINITAB software was used for the analysis at 1% significance level (α = 0.01). the results indicated that with a cumulative average of 58.95%, and a test statistic (- 0.05) corresponding with a critical value of (-0.29), there seemed to be enough evidence to
suggest that within the limits of errors in the study, the test statistic is not significantly different from the range (50 – 59%). Therefore it was concluded that Quality Assurance Practices in Public Higher Institutions of Learning in Ghana can be classified as Ordinary. In addition, awareness and insight of QA issues were generally low. Management
Intervention as well as Systems for coordinating and monitoring QAPs in Higher Institutions of learning in Ghana must be established and made functional.
