Towards Providing Quality Higher Education, Challenges and Opportunities: The Context of Zimbabwe
Author : Leonard Ruvengo, Mlaleli Mlungisi Nsikani, Eria Nhongo and Lydia Chigara
Abstract :
At independence, public university education in Zimbabwe was well-funded through a balanced system of grants and loans. Over time, however, grant funding decreased, and by 1998, student loans covered 80% of costs. The imposition of sanctions on Zimbabwe in 2003, along with its suspension and withdrawal from the Commonwealth, resulted in the loss of valuable collaborative and supportive mechanisms for the country's universities, which had previously benefited from membership in the Association of Commonwealth Universities. Furthermore, the recent proliferation of higher education providers in Zimbabwe has raised concerns about quality standards. Unconfirmed reports claim that some institutions are staffed by unqualified personnel, and many facilities fail to meet the standards set by the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (ZIMCHE) is worrisome. This research aimed to establish the challenges and opportunities in providing quality higher education in Zimbabwe. The mixed-method study surveyed both students (55) and staff (10), revealing key challenges such as sanctions, inadequate funding, lack of resources, rapid global changes, corruption, and insufficient libraries. However, the research also identified opportunities, including political will, an educated populace, a dedicated workforce, education system rebranding, and innovation hubs. The study suggests strategies to improve higher education quality, such as removing sanctions, reviewing procurement policies, investing in technology, and enhancing anti-corruption efforts, among others.
Keywords :
Quality education, higher education, challenges
