Relative Importance of Student Accommodation Quality in Higher Education

Simon Gyasi Nimako,Francis Kwesi Bondinuba

doi:10.19026/crjss.5.5548

Simon Gyasi Nimako, Francis Kwesi Bondinuba

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.19026/crjss.5.5548

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Abstract

This study, which was part of a large study, empirically examinesthe importance students attach to different dimensions of Student Accommodation Quality (SAQ) delivered by Student Accommodation Providers (SAP) in two tertiary (higher education) institutions in Ghana. The study involved a cross-sectional survey that used a structured questionnaire administered to 700 tertiary students in residential and non-residential accommodation. The survey yielded a usable 66.6% response rate for analysis. The findings indicate that utility facility quality is the most important SAQ dimension to the students, followed by the overall impression of hostel, security, physical environment, toilet, distance to lecture, bedroom, bath room, accommodation fee, among others. Moreover, it was found that kitchen facility, access to transport and entertainment facility are less important SAQ items while the least important is garage facility. Few differences were found in the priority for SAQ items between COLTEK and K-Poly respondents and between residential and non-residential respondents. Implications for theory and recommendations to management of the two higher education institutions and SAP have been discussed. The study contributes to the body of knowledge in student affairs and managing student accommodation quality in higher education.

Highlights

In the face of growing enrolment of students in tertiary education globally (Sharma, 2012), student accommodation has become one of the teething problems faced by higher institutions in developing country context (Centre for Global Education, 2002)
Governments in many developing countries have involved private hostel providers to participate in building hostels and halls of residence for students in order to meet the demand for more accommodation infrastructure (Centre for Global Education, 2002)
In Ghana with an estimated 9.7% enrolment rate in Ghanaian tertiary education (Ghana Education Performance Report, 2010), the government has been encouraging the concept of private participation in socio-economic development in many areas of the economy of Ghana including provision of student accommodation infrastructure (Ghana Shared Growth and Development Agenda, 2010)

Summary

Introduction

In the face of growing enrolment of students in tertiary education globally (Sharma, 2012), student accommodation has become one of the teething problems faced by higher institutions in developing country context (Centre for Global Education, 2002). Governments in many developing countries have involved private hostel providers to participate in building hostels and halls of residence for students in order to meet the demand for more accommodation infrastructure (Centre for Global Education, 2002). This has attracted many private individuals into investment in student hostel accommodation. As a result tertiary institutions in Ghana have policies that invite private individuals to provide hostel accommodation to students. Prospective hostel accommodation providers must comply with the rules and regulation regarding the kind of accommodation facility quality they ought to provide to the student tenants

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