6 - Tension Between Massification and Intensification Reforms and Implications for Teaching and Learning in Ethiopian Public Universities
Corresponding Author(s) : Solomon Areaya
Journal of Higher Education in Africa,
Vol. 8 No. 2 (2010): Journal of Higher Education in Africa
Abstract
This paper critically examines the context under which public universities are implementing series of predominantly government initiated and controlled reforms. Accordingly, it attempts to unpack those political, professional, and epistemological factors contributing to the decline of the quality of teaching and learning. Focus group discussions, official government documents and views, proclamations, pertinent national and international studies, informal discussions with university colleagues, and personal experiences have been used as sources of evidence to inform my analysis and discussion. The study revealed that the current educational environment in most public universities is messy and the quality of teaching and learning are at risk. Excessive intervention by the federal Ministry of Education and lack of autonomy seem the prime factors contributing to substandard outputs of the universities. A tension has been created between government’s political desire for massification of higher education on one hand, and the inherent desire of the universities and their academic communities for quality education by way of academic intensification on the other hand. Accordingly, the quality of teaching and learning in Ethiopian public universities currently is at risk.
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- Addis Ababa University, 2011, Addis Ababa University General Information: Office of the Vice President for External Relations, Strategic Planning and Partnership, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
- Amare Asgedom, 2009, ‘Relevance of Higher Education Curricula and the Status of Learning Inputs’, in Forum for Social Studies (FSS), Quality of Higher Education in Ethiopian Public Institutions, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, pp. 57- 93.
- Aronowitz, S., 2000, The Knowledge Factory: Dismantling the Corporate University and Creating True Higher Learning, Boston: Beacon Press.
- Ayalew Shibeshi, Daniel Teferra, and Solomon Areaya, 2010, October, ‘An Evaluation Study of the Modular Course Delivery’, A Report Presented to the Office of the Vice President for Research and Dean of School of Graduate Studies, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia.
- Baye Yimam, 2008, ‘Academic Freedom at Addis Ababa University: An Overview of its Past and Current Experience’, in Taye Assefa, ed., Academic Freedom in Ethiopia: Perspectives of Teaching Personnel, Forum for Social Studies, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, pp. 19-62.
- Firdissa Jebessa, 2006, ‘Quality Assurance in Higher Education Institutions: Challenges and Opportunities’, IER FLAMBEAU, Volume 14, Number 1, December.
- Forum for Social Studies, 2009, ‘Quality of Higher Education in Ethiopian Public Institutions, FSS, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
- Forum for Social Studies, 2008, ‘Academic Freedom in Ethiopia: Perspectives of Teaching Personnel’, FSS, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
- Government of Ethiopia, 2009, ‘Higher Education Proclamation’, No. 650/2009, Addis Ababa: Negarit Gazeta.
- Government of Ethiopia, 2003, ‘Higher Education Proclamation’, No. 351/2003 Addis Ababa: Negarit Gazeta.
- HESO, 2004, 27 May, ‘Higher Education Systems Overhaul: Report of the Committee of Inquiry into Governance, Leadership and Management in Ethiopia’s Higher Education System’, Draft, Addis Ababa: Ministry of Education.
- HERQA, 2008, ‘Mekelle University Institutional Quality Audit Report’, HERQA Publication Series - 028, October 2008, Ministry of Education.
- HERQA, 2008, ‘ArbaMinch University Institutional Quality Audit Report’, HERQA Publication Series - 030, October 2008, Ministry of Education.
- HERQA, 2008, ‘University of Gondar Institutional Quality Audit Report’, HERQA Publication Series - 029, October 2008, Ministry of Education.
- HERQA, 2008, ‘Haramaya University Institutional Quality Audit Report’, HERQA Publication Series - 025, June 2008, Ministry of Education.
- HERQA, 2008, ‘BahirDar University Institutional Quality Audit Report’, HERQA Publication Series - 027, October 2008, Ministry of Education.
- Metz, T., 2010, ‘A Dilemma Regarding Academic Freedom and Public Accountability in Higher Education’, Journal of Philosophy of Education, Vol. 44, No. 4,pp. 529-549.
- Ministry of Education, 2010a, ‘Education Statistics Annual Abstract 2008/09’, Addis Ababa: Educational Sector Development Programme and Policy Analysis Department, Ministry of Education.
- Ministry of Education, 2010b, ‘Education Statistics Annual Abstract 2009/10’, Addis Ababa: Educational Sector Development Programme and Policy Analysis Department, Ministry of Education.
- Ministry of Education, 2008, ‘Recommendations of the National Council for Higher Education on Curriculum Review’, An Official Letter in Amharic Language dispatched to all public Universities, dated 15/01/2001 E.C. and signed by the Vice Minister.
- Radhakrishnan, P., 2008, ‘Academic Freedom from a Human Rights’ Perspective: The Indian Case and its Relevance to Africa’, Journal of Higher Education in Africa (JHEA), Vol.6, Nos. 2&3, pp. 183-210.
- Saint, W., 2004, ‘Higher Education in Ethiopia: The Vision and its challenges’, Journal of Higher Education in Africa (JHEA), Vol. 2, No. 3, pp. 83-113.
- Solomon, A., 2009, 23-24 April, ‘The Context of Curriculum Reform and Implementation in Ethiopian Higher Learning Institutions’, A Paper presented at a National Conference: ‘Current Trends in the Ethiopian Higher Education System: Focused on Teaching and Learning’, The National Pedagogical Resource Centre (NPRC), Institute of Educational Research, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
- TGE, 1994, ‘Education and Training Policy EEP 86’, Transitional Government of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, April.
- Wana Leqa, 2009, ‘Higher Education Expansion and Intake Capacity’, in Forum for Social Studies (FSS), Quality of Higher Education in Ethiopian Public Institutions, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, pp. 131-160.
- World Bank, 2004a, Higher Education Development for Ethiopia: Pursuing the Vision, Washington, DC: World Bank, Human Development Department, Africa Region.
- World Bank, 2004b, Improving Tertiary Education in Sub-Saharan Africa: Things that Work, Washington, DC: World Bank, Human Development Department, Africa Region, Working Paper, Series No. 66.
- Yizengaw, T., 2003, 23-25 September, ‘Transformations in Higher Education: Experiences with Reform and Expansion in the Ethiopian Higher Education System’, Keynote speech presented at the Africa Regional Training Conference: ‘Improving Tertiary Education in Sub-Saharan Africa: Things that Work!’, Accra, Ghana.
- Zeleza, Paul Tiyambe, 2004, ‘Neo-Liberalism and Academic Freedom’ in Zeleza, Paul Tiyambe and Olukoshi Adebayo, eds, African Universities in the Twenty-first Century Vol.1: Liberalisation and Internationalization, CODESRIA, UNISA Press: 42-68.
- Zeleza, Paul Tiyambe, 2003, ‘Academic Freedom in the Neo-Liberal Order: Government, Globalization, Governance and Gender’, Journal of Higher Education in Africa, Vol.1, No.1, pp. 149-194.
References
Addis Ababa University, 2011, Addis Ababa University General Information: Office of the Vice President for External Relations, Strategic Planning and Partnership, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Amare Asgedom, 2009, ‘Relevance of Higher Education Curricula and the Status of Learning Inputs’, in Forum for Social Studies (FSS), Quality of Higher Education in Ethiopian Public Institutions, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, pp. 57- 93.
Aronowitz, S., 2000, The Knowledge Factory: Dismantling the Corporate University and Creating True Higher Learning, Boston: Beacon Press.
Ayalew Shibeshi, Daniel Teferra, and Solomon Areaya, 2010, October, ‘An Evaluation Study of the Modular Course Delivery’, A Report Presented to the Office of the Vice President for Research and Dean of School of Graduate Studies, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia.
Baye Yimam, 2008, ‘Academic Freedom at Addis Ababa University: An Overview of its Past and Current Experience’, in Taye Assefa, ed., Academic Freedom in Ethiopia: Perspectives of Teaching Personnel, Forum for Social Studies, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, pp. 19-62.
Firdissa Jebessa, 2006, ‘Quality Assurance in Higher Education Institutions: Challenges and Opportunities’, IER FLAMBEAU, Volume 14, Number 1, December.
Forum for Social Studies, 2009, ‘Quality of Higher Education in Ethiopian Public Institutions, FSS, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Forum for Social Studies, 2008, ‘Academic Freedom in Ethiopia: Perspectives of Teaching Personnel’, FSS, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Government of Ethiopia, 2009, ‘Higher Education Proclamation’, No. 650/2009, Addis Ababa: Negarit Gazeta.
Government of Ethiopia, 2003, ‘Higher Education Proclamation’, No. 351/2003 Addis Ababa: Negarit Gazeta.
HESO, 2004, 27 May, ‘Higher Education Systems Overhaul: Report of the Committee of Inquiry into Governance, Leadership and Management in Ethiopia’s Higher Education System’, Draft, Addis Ababa: Ministry of Education.
HERQA, 2008, ‘Mekelle University Institutional Quality Audit Report’, HERQA Publication Series - 028, October 2008, Ministry of Education.
HERQA, 2008, ‘ArbaMinch University Institutional Quality Audit Report’, HERQA Publication Series - 030, October 2008, Ministry of Education.
HERQA, 2008, ‘University of Gondar Institutional Quality Audit Report’, HERQA Publication Series - 029, October 2008, Ministry of Education.
HERQA, 2008, ‘Haramaya University Institutional Quality Audit Report’, HERQA Publication Series - 025, June 2008, Ministry of Education.
HERQA, 2008, ‘BahirDar University Institutional Quality Audit Report’, HERQA Publication Series - 027, October 2008, Ministry of Education.
Metz, T., 2010, ‘A Dilemma Regarding Academic Freedom and Public Accountability in Higher Education’, Journal of Philosophy of Education, Vol. 44, No. 4,pp. 529-549.
Ministry of Education, 2010a, ‘Education Statistics Annual Abstract 2008/09’, Addis Ababa: Educational Sector Development Programme and Policy Analysis Department, Ministry of Education.
Ministry of Education, 2010b, ‘Education Statistics Annual Abstract 2009/10’, Addis Ababa: Educational Sector Development Programme and Policy Analysis Department, Ministry of Education.
Ministry of Education, 2008, ‘Recommendations of the National Council for Higher Education on Curriculum Review’, An Official Letter in Amharic Language dispatched to all public Universities, dated 15/01/2001 E.C. and signed by the Vice Minister.
Radhakrishnan, P., 2008, ‘Academic Freedom from a Human Rights’ Perspective: The Indian Case and its Relevance to Africa’, Journal of Higher Education in Africa (JHEA), Vol.6, Nos. 2&3, pp. 183-210.
Saint, W., 2004, ‘Higher Education in Ethiopia: The Vision and its challenges’, Journal of Higher Education in Africa (JHEA), Vol. 2, No. 3, pp. 83-113.
Solomon, A., 2009, 23-24 April, ‘The Context of Curriculum Reform and Implementation in Ethiopian Higher Learning Institutions’, A Paper presented at a National Conference: ‘Current Trends in the Ethiopian Higher Education System: Focused on Teaching and Learning’, The National Pedagogical Resource Centre (NPRC), Institute of Educational Research, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
TGE, 1994, ‘Education and Training Policy EEP 86’, Transitional Government of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, April.
Wana Leqa, 2009, ‘Higher Education Expansion and Intake Capacity’, in Forum for Social Studies (FSS), Quality of Higher Education in Ethiopian Public Institutions, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, pp. 131-160.
World Bank, 2004a, Higher Education Development for Ethiopia: Pursuing the Vision, Washington, DC: World Bank, Human Development Department, Africa Region.
World Bank, 2004b, Improving Tertiary Education in Sub-Saharan Africa: Things that Work, Washington, DC: World Bank, Human Development Department, Africa Region, Working Paper, Series No. 66.
Yizengaw, T., 2003, 23-25 September, ‘Transformations in Higher Education: Experiences with Reform and Expansion in the Ethiopian Higher Education System’, Keynote speech presented at the Africa Regional Training Conference: ‘Improving Tertiary Education in Sub-Saharan Africa: Things that Work!’, Accra, Ghana.
Zeleza, Paul Tiyambe, 2004, ‘Neo-Liberalism and Academic Freedom’ in Zeleza, Paul Tiyambe and Olukoshi Adebayo, eds, African Universities in the Twenty-first Century Vol.1: Liberalisation and Internationalization, CODESRIA, UNISA Press: 42-68.
Zeleza, Paul Tiyambe, 2003, ‘Academic Freedom in the Neo-Liberal Order: Government, Globalization, Governance and Gender’, Journal of Higher Education in Africa, Vol.1, No.1, pp. 149-194.