Exploring Internal Quality Assurance System in Ethiopian Higher Education Institutions: Practices and Challenges

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the practices and challenges of the internal quality assurance system in improving the quality of education in higher education institutions (HEIs). A qualitative research method was employed, with participants selected purposely to reflect the diverse perspectives involved in the issue of the internal quality assurance system. Data were collected through interviews followed by a review of relevant documents related to the internal quality assurance system. The findings indicate that key informants were largely unaware of the HEIs’ internal quality assurance system rules, procedures, and processes. There was also a notable lack of clarity and accessible information regarding the HEIs’ internal quality assurance system. Many stakeholders assumed that quality assurance is the sole role of experts and officers working at the quality assurance offices in HEIs, even though the assumption is not real. The study also found a significant gap in translating theoretical frameworks into the practical implementation of internal quality assurance systems in HEIs. In addition, the result reveals that several factors adversely affect the system, including unclear guidelines, low stakeholder awareness, insufficient autonomy, lack of necessary resources, inadequate working conditions, and a weak monitoring and evaluation system