Determining predictors of internal efficiency of public universities: Case of selected universities in Malawi

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine the predictors of internal efficiency in the Malawian Public Universities. Four research questions were formulated to guide the study. Specifically, the study sought to investigate the effect of lecturer student ratio, teaching/learning materials and physical facilities on internal efficiency of public universities in three selected public universities in Malawi. The three public universities were selected using simple random sampling technique in order to have a representative sample of the population. The study adopted a descriptive survey and exploratory sequential design. Such being the case, it used questionnaires and interviews. In the first phase, university managers and senior lecturers were interviewed. The qualitative data from the first phase informed the quantitative data which was collected in the second phase of the study which targeted student participants. There were six public universities in the country and from these, a sample of three universities were drawn using simple random sampling technique. In addition to this, 15 university managers were sampled, three from each of the three universities using snow ball sampling while 9 senior lecturers, 3 from each university were sampled using availability sampling. University managers and senior lecturers were used to solicit data in the first phase. From the three universities, 393 students who were selected using stratified systematic random sampling technique using programmes as strata were involved in the study. Data was collected through the use of questionnaires which were administered to lecturers and students, open ended interviews were conducted to solicit data from registrars, quality control officers and deans; documentary analysis and observation was used for triangulation and verification. Qualitative data was analysed using thematic content analysis while quantitative data was analysed using SPSS version 22. The study revealed that in Malawian public universities internal efficiency was overally low. The study revealed variables that potentially impact on internal efficiency such as high lecturer to student ratio, teaching/learning materials, library capacity, laboratory v capacity and unbearable workloads as main factors that affect internal efficiency in public universities. The study revealed library capacity as the major predictor of internal efficiency in Malawian public universities. The study recommended Government to prioritise the availability of adequate library facilities in public universities for efficiency and effective learning. Government should consider university capacity when enrolling students. Loans given to needy students should be adequate to cater for their needs throughout the academic semester and should be reviewed periodically and adjusted in line with cost of living. Proper modalities should be put in place to recover the money and to ensure that the loans are given to the deserving students. Government should consider going back to the cafeteria providing system so that students can be guaranteed decent meals at a subsidised cost. The study is significant to the Ministry of Education Science and Technology and other education stakeholders as it will reveal factors which affect the internal efficiency of public universities. This will help the Ministry of Education Science and Technology to come up with better ways to address the issue of shortage of space in public universities while maintaining the efficiency and quality of education. Findings of the study will inform Government on Higher Education policy formulation.