Assessing Barriers in Introduction of Associate Degree Curriculum in Educational Institutions of Pakistan

Abstract

Lately, in Pakistan, the HEC, PHEC and HED gave a policy decision to change the 2-year BA/BSc degrees programs by the academically more arduous and relevant 2-year associate degrees, on the semester system pattern, by the next academic year. Carol Weiss`s ‘Theory of Change’ propagates that people give too little attention to the early and intermediate changes that need to happen for long-term change to occur. In this study main purpose was to know the factors which create barriers in introduction of these modern courses in educational institutions. This study has deductive research approach in which a cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted at university level. The result of 207 questionnaires analysis revealed that Lack of sense to change, Lack of educational resources, Lack of specialized facility and Lack of visionary Leadership are significant predictors of Barriers in introduction of modern courses. In future this study can be conducted on large scale basis and new variables can be added into theoretical framework. This study will be helpful for the education sector to implement the government latest policy by developing and devising best strategies. No study exists in literature which has identified the hurdles in the process of introduction of modern ADP in universities.