Evaluating knowledge of quality assurance practices in tertiary institutions in Ghana.

Abstract

Tertiary education assumes greater importance as it generates knowledge, the key engine of global economy and development. One way to guarantee this is constant and efficient assurance of high standards is the setting up of quality assurance agencies to coordinate the proper development of such institutions. This study seeks to evaluate the knowledge of Quality Assurance practices in Accra Polytechnic. A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study approach was used. A total of 50 respondents were sampled and 43 responses received, 26 from the administrative units (non-teaching) and 17 from the schools (teaching staff). The study data was collected using self-administered questionnaires divided into three sections. Accreditation, assessment, academic audit and examination were some of the approaches of QA known and practiced averagely by the institution. The mostly used or known quality assessment is action taken on students’ feedback. Staff expertise and initiative were seen as very essential in improving quality in the polytechnic. A gap between policy formulation and implementation was realized due to poor communication. The introduction of the QA system was done by the institutional leadership with little involvement of staff. Almost all the learning resources are available but inadequate. The most available procedure to ensure quality research is internal seminars. Inadequate qualified staff in the quality assurance unit and lack of commitment by management were the challenges regarding effective implementation of internal quality assurance system in the institution. Knowledge on QA practices is average in the institution.