Abstract:
This study was aimed at exploring the impact of the student feedback in
enhancing the quality of educational provision in private universities.
The study used the longitudinal approach which was carried out as two
separate surveys covering a period of three years. An initial survey to
determine the issues affecting teaching and learning quality in five
private universities was made from June 2011 to May 2012. In 2013, a
follow-up survey was carried out to check whether the issues of concern
raised by students had been addressed. The study used a triangulation of
qualitative and quantitative approaches. Data were collected using semi
structured self-administered questionnaires as well as focus group
discussions with students and academic staff. The sample represented
four percent of the enrolments of students at each university. The students
were drawn from all faculties making sure that each field of study was
represented.
The findings showed that the major issues affecting quality of teaching
and learning were inadequate assignments, absentee lecturers, poorly
qualified lecturers, sexual harassment and the lack of public address
systems for mass lectures. During the second survey, results showed that
all universities had addressed the students’ concerns but new challenges
caused by the ever increasing enrolments had emerged.
The study points to the need to continuously engage the student voice as a
way of improving the quality of the teaching and learning environment.
The paper contributes to the body of knowledge on the importance of the
student voice.
