QUALITY ASSURANCE PRACTICES IN PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES IN THE GREATER ACCRA REGION OF GHANA

ABSTRACT

This study aimed at investigating quality assurance practices in ten private universities in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. The descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The study involved 268 participants, comprising 168 lecturers, 70 students, 10 Quality Assurance heads, 10 registrars and 10 deans of students. Simple random and purposive sampling technique were used in selecting the respondents. Questionnaires and interview guide were the main instruments used to collect data. Frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations were used to analyse the quantitative data, using Statistical Package for Social Sciences Version 21 while the qualitative data were analysed by the thematic analysis approach using themes that emerged from the data. The questionnaires generated a standardised Cronbach Alpha coefficient of .83. The respondents perceived the role of quality assurance as, to help the universities to achieve their missions and visions. Also they perceived that quality assurance raises the reputation of the university. The study concludes that the role of quality assurance is very important in the sense that it helps private universities in the greater Accra region of Ghana to achieve their visions and missions. Though the role of quality assurance is to help the universities to achieve their missions and visions, it is should be noted that it takes the collective and relentless effort of students, administrative and academic staff as well as management to achieve the desired standard of quality. It is recommended that private universities in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana should continue to use feedback from the periodic evaluation of courses to improve the quality of teaching and learning.