FACTORS AFFECTING THE MANAGEMENT OF PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES IN UGANDA BY AVITUS K.M. TIBARIMBASA B.Sc (Makerere University), PGDE (Makerere University) PGDM (Turin University), MA (HE.Mtg& Administration) (Manchester University) A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF A PHD IN EDUCATIONAL MANAGEMENT OF MAKERERE UNIVERSITY September, 2010 DECLARATION I, Avitus, K.M. Tibarimbasa, declare that this thesis is my original work and that it has not been presented to any institution for the award of any degree. Signature ……………………………. AVITUS, K.M. TIBARIMBASA DATE …………………………………. i APPROVAL This thesis has been submitted with our approval as the candidate‟s supervisors: Signed ………………………………………… DR. J.L. NKATA DATE ………………………………………… Signed …………………………………………. DR. YASIN OLUM DATE…………………………………………… ii DEDICATION This thesis is dedicated to the Late Dr. John Bakeloha Turyagyenda whose encouragement, guidance and support inspired me in pursuit of doctoral studies. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Let me start by thanking the Almighty God for having guided and given me strength to carry out this study. God‟s abundant blessings enabled me to source funds which assisted me in collecting data during the research exercise. In a special way, I would like to recognize the encouragement extended to me by Prof. J.C.S. Musaazi, Dr. J.L. Nkata and Rev. Dr. P. Neema Aboki to start on this doctoral programme. Furthermore, I want to pay thanks to all Lecturers who taught me during the PhD coursework, research guidance and supervision. I specifically want to recognize Prof. J.C.S Musaazi, Dr J.L. Nkata, Prof: Martin E. Amin, and Prof: Samuel Owolabi. Let me also sincerely thank my supervisors, Dr. J.L. Nkata and Dr. Y; Olum, whose professional guidance made me sail through this study. I must also mention that my study was made possible by the atmosphere created by the Dean of the School of Education, Assoc. Prof: Masembe C. Ssebunga, and other school administrators. iv I must also mention coursemates like Kateshumbwa, (Rip) Kyaligonza, Mukalazi, without whose guidance, counseling, criticism and moral support, the study would have taken longer than it has taken. Last but not least, I appreciate in a special way the encouragement and support extended to me by all the members of my family during this study, without whose love, kindness, tender care and moral support; I would not have accomplished this work in time. Special thanks also go to Tukamuhabwa Beatrice for typing this work. She passed through hard moments to produce this work on time. Lastly, I thank all those who participated in the study especially Mr. Edson Kamagara who headed a team of Research Assistants and gathered data during the field study. Your contribution is highly appreciated. v TABLE OF CONTENTS Page DECLARATION ................................................................................................... i APPROVAL ......................................................................................................... ii DEDICATION ..................................................................................................... iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT .................................................................................... iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ..................................................................................... vi LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................... ix LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................... ix LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................. xii ABSTRACT....................................................................................................... xiii CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ................................................................ 1 1.1 Background to the study ............................................................................. 1 1.1.1 Conceptual background……………………………………………….……7 1.1.2 Theoretical background…………………………………………………...11 1.1.3 Contextual background ............................................................................. 12 1.2 Problem statement .................................................................................... 15 1.3 Purpose of the study ................................................................................. 16 1.4 Objectives ……………………………………………………………………….17 1.5 Research questions ................................................................................... 17 1.6 Hypotheses ............................................................................................... 17 vi 1.7 Scope of the study .................................................................................... 18 1.8 Justification of the study ........................................................................... 18 1.9 Significance of the study .......................................................................... 19 CHAPTER TWO:-REVIEW OF LITERATURE ........................................... 21 2.1 Introduction .............................................................................................. 21 2.2 Theoretical framework ............................................................................. 21 2.3 Conceptual framework ............................................................................. 25 2.4 Related Literature ..................................................................................... 26 2.4.1 Students enrollment and the management of private universities .............. 26 2.5 Human resource situation and management of private universities ........... 32 2.6 Variations in financial resources and institutional operations .................... 50 2.7 Summary of the review of related literature .............................................. 59 2.8 Student enrollment and management of private universities...................... 59 2.8.1 Financial resources and institutional operation ......................................... 60 2.8.2 Human resource situation ......................................................................... 60 CHAPTER THREE:-METHODOLOGY ........................................................ 61 3.1 Introduction .............................................................................................. 61 3.2 Research design ........................................................................................ 61 3.3 Area of study ............................................................................................ 62 3.4 Sampling strategy ..................................................................................... 63 vii 3.5 Study population ...................................................................................... 68 3.6 Sample selection ....................................................................................... 69 3.7 Data collection.......................................................................................... 69 3.8 Semi-structured questionnaire................................................................... 69 3.9 Interview schedule .................................................................................... 70 3.10 Validity .................................................................................................... 70 3.11 Reliability of the questionnaire …………………………………………..71 3.12 Data processing and analysis .................................................................... 72 3.12.1 Quantitative data analysis ......................................................................... 72 CHAPTER FOUR: PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF THE RESULTS ...................................................... 74 4.1 Introduction .............................................................................................. 74 4.2 Background of respondents ...................................................................... 74 4.3 Presentation of results on Research Objective One: Factors related to students enrollment and management of private universities ..................... 81 4.4 Presentation of results on Research Objective Two: Staffing situation and management of private universities .................................... 105 4.5 Presentation of Results on Research Objective Three: Variations in financial flow and management of private universities ........................... 126 viii CHAPTER FIVE :-DISCUSSIONS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS………………………………………………………149 5.1 Introduction ............................................................................................ 146 5.2 Discussions Research Objective One: ………………………………….146 5.3 Discussion of Research Hypothesis Two: ………………………………150 5.4 Discussion of Research hypothesis Three: ……………………………..161 5.5 Conclusions ............................................................................................ 169 5.6 Recommendations .................................................................................. 170 REFERENCES ................................................................................................. 172 APPENDICES Appendix A: Main Questionnaire ..................................................................... 182 Appendix B: Interview guide ............................................................................. 202 Appendix C: Frequencies ................................................................................. 205 APPENDIX