Challenges facing the leadership of Ethiopian higher learning institutions in assuring quality education

Abstract

This article explores the internal and external factors that affect the leaders of Higher learning institutions (HLIs) in their attempt to ensure the quality of education. Higher learning institutions are physical spaces that equip learners with advanced knowledge, skills, and appropriate attitude toward various disciplines and fields. However, the challenge for most developing countries is that their higher education systems lack quality education, which has implications for leadership. Owing to the complex nature of the subject matter under investigation, a mixed-methods research approach was followed in the study, undertaken in four HLIs (two public and two private). The focus on leadership was motivated by a generally agreed view that leadership is the key to ensuring quality education in HLIs. However, according to the study, some internal and external factors challenge the Ethiopian HLI leadership in its effort to provide quality education in this sector. The study has revealed that the quality of higher education and students' abilities is unsatisfactory. Moreover, the study findings show that, among the many factors, inadequate competence of incoming students, low quality of general education (Grades 1–12), the inefficiency of the leadership, unsatisfactory teaching and learning practice, inadequate qualification and competence of instructors and inadequacy of teaching facilities and resources are the main challenges of the HLIs leadership in the task of assuring quality education.