Abstract
This paper enumerates some cases of student unrest in public universities in Ghana, and posits that the frequency of demonstrations and its attendant disruption of academic work is largely attributable to the antiquated institutional management practices where student influence in university governance is marginalized. The background reasons why the public universities are managed without much recourse to student views are examined; for example, the assertion that student satisfaction cannot be seen as an indication of good quality university education. Again, some current developments in university education in the country which necessitates the need for public universities to focus on student views in institutional management are outlined; for example, financial demands on students for which students are entitled to demand value for money. Based on the foregoing issues, measures that may be taken to ensure quality in university education by making students the principal focus in institutional management are discussed. The paper concludes that university students should be allowed to make greater contributions to policies that affect their education, and that policies and funds in public universities in Ghana should be directed in more student-centred ways. Keywords: Public universities , student demonstrations, institutional management, educational process, quality assurance, student-centred, student views. DOI: 10.7176/JEP/13-4-01 Publication date: February 28 th 2022
Highlights
Quality university education is, in essence, reflected in the extent to which student needs are met, but when institutional policies go against student aspirations, there is tendency for students to embark on protests
The Report further indicates that the task of developing guidelines for this process should be given to the Quality Assurance Unit which should be a statutory establishment in all public universities
Quality in education service delivery in public universities in Ghana can be assured if policy and funds are directed in more student-centred ways
Summary
In essence, reflected in the extent to which student needs are met, but when institutional policies go against student aspirations, there is tendency for students to embark on protests. Public universities often explicitly or implicitly do not accept the designation of students as customers or clients, and they continue to operate without much recourse to student views with the presumption of protecting quality, ensuring academic autonomy, and ensuring best educational interest of students This presupposes that allowing emphasis on students’ expressed preferences in institutional policies could compromise standards. Over the past couple of decades, the public universities in Ghana have seen progressive financial demands on students, increasing competition with private universities, and remarkable diversity in the student body These developments, as discussed below, justifiably require managers of the public universities to abandon any antiquated management practices and pay more attention to student views - as a reflection of student needs - in formulating policies that affect students
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