Exploring quality assurance and enhancement practices in Malawi’s TEVET institutions: A case of selected Community Skills Development Centers

Abstract

CSDCs are considered to be the bridge for the vulnerable population hence required to establish and implement internal quality assurance mechanisms to safeguard and improve the standards and quality of their education programs. However, there is inadequate information on essential elements that have been put in place for quality assurance and enhancement practices and if the latter is being implemented by CSDCs. Therefore, the study’s main focus explored essential elements in implementing quality assurance mechanisms and enhancement practices. The study specifically explored quality assurance strategies, procedures, and enhancement practices being implemented by TEVETA for CSDCs, identified how CSDCs are managing and implementing quality assurance mechanisms and enhancement practices, identified gaps being faced by CSDCs, and established possible solutions and mitigation strategies towards the identified gaps in the management and implementation of quality assurance mechanisms and enhancement practices. The case study design was used to evaluate and conduct an in-depth analysis through the qualitative approach. It was conducted in 3 selected CSDCs, the Ministry of Labor, TEVETA Headquarters, and 3 regional offices where 20 academic and management participants took part. The data was collected through in-depth interviews that were recorded, transcribed, and an extraction of the codes, categories, and themes were derived. In complementing the findings from the interviews, results from the document analysis were also triangulated. The findings of the study have shown that the parameters for quality assurance and enhancement practices in vocational education center on a precise overview of key pointers which if applied can acquire great results in TVET. The study recommends having resource mobilization and social enterprises at the CSDCs level, timely curriculum review and update, staff capacity building, improved monitoring structures, and establishment of a Technical Teachers Training Institution.