Quality assurance through the external examiner system

Abstract

This paper focuses on the findings of an external examiner in five universities, in different countries in Southern Africa over nine years. The aim is to share information with fellow nurse academics who are concerned with issues of quality in nursing education, so that they could appreciate the challenges associated with the process with a view to improving the system. Participant observation and documentary analysis were used to collect data during the period. The findings are presented through the steps of the external examining process: recruitment and appointments, signing of contracts, review of curriculum materials and examination questions, onsite visits and reviews of students’ scripts, external examiners’ meetings and report writing. The benefits for both the host institution and the external examiners are discussed. The following challenges were found: time and financial constraints, absence of written terms of reference, lack of induction sessions for new external examiners, lack of templates for report writing and stipulated dates for submission of reports. The following were recommended given the findings of this study: timely appointment of external examiners, establishing a regional register of external examiners, producing a handbook for first time examiners and induction of new external examiners, comprehensive involvement of the external examiner, establishing a mechanism for effective monitoring and implementation of external examiner's recommendations and panel discussions.