ASSESSING STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN PRIVATE HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS; THE CASE OF CHRISTIAN SERVICE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE BUSINESS SCHOOL

Abstract

Private higher institutions have rapidly expanded around the globe. Views have been expressed that private providers of education dilute the quality of education which reflects in lower academic standards of their students, hence, they contribute less to the academic economy. This study seeks to assess students’ academic performance in private higher institutions in Ghana using Christian Service University College Business School as a case study. The following indicators were used in the assessment: Campus environmental conduciveness, institutional commitment, caliber of academic staff and quality of teaching, pass rate and class attendance. Both qualitative and quantitative data were explored. Case Study design was used for the study. A purposive sampling under the non-probability method was used to select students and staff of the appropriate department to be used as population units. The data collected through questionnaire, interview and books were analyzed using percentages. The findings of the study revealed overcrowding in class, inadequate indoor light level (illuminance) for optimal performance, dysfunctional aural aids at lecture halls, uncompromised quality of performance due to diligence of the Quality Assurance Unit; enhancement of knowledge and student learning resulting from mandatory Internship Policy in place and low level of research and publication among academic staff. Among others the following recommendations were made to improve academic performance: there should be re-allocation of classrooms to commensurate the strength of each class, student intake should be reduced to maintain a sizeable class, more florescent tubes to be fixed to top up the ones already in place while malfunctioning ones are replaced. Others include vi resourcing Estate Department to ensure that all gadgets at lecture rooms are in good shape, while measures are put in place to ensure that academic staff undertake research and publication.