Student voice and quality enhancement in higher education

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of the student voice in enhancement of the quality of educational provision in universities. Design/methodology/approach – The study used the longitudinal approach, carried out as two separate surveys covering a period of three years. An initial survey to determine the issues affecting teaching and learning quality in eight public and five private universities was made from June 2011 to May 2012. In 2013, a follow-up survey targeting three state and three private universities was done to check whether the issues of concern raised by students had been addressed. The study used triangulation of qualitative and quantitative approaches. Data were collected using observation, document analysis, semi-structured questionnaires and focus group discussions with students and academic staff. Findings – The findings showed that the major issues affecting quality of teaching and learning were inadequate assignments, absentee lecturers, poorly qualified lecturers, sexual harassment and the lack of public address systems for mass lectures. During the second survey, results showed that all universities had addressed the students’ concerns but new challenges caused by the ever increasing enrolments had emerged. Practical implications – The study pointed to the need to continuously engage the student voice as a way of improving the quality of the teaching and learning environment. Originality/value – The study adds to the body of knowledge on utilising the student voice to improve the quality of educational provision in institutions of higher learning