Open AccessState-Public University Contractual Relationship Impact on Student’s Accessibility Rights: The Agency Theory Perspective
Author(s) -
Joseph Kimoga
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
east african journal of education studies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2707-3947
pISSN - 2707-3939
DOI - 10.37284/eajes.4.1.451
Subject(s) - scrutiny , agency (philosophy) , public administration , autonomy , state (computer science) , political science , principal–agent problem , perspective (graphical) , order (exchange) , public relations , sociology , public economics , economics , law , corporate governance , management , finance , social science , algorithm , artificial intelligence , computer science
The state-public university contractual relationship constrains public universities to be driven by the state expected level of quality output of graduates. The relationship reduces institutional substantive and procedural autonomy in specific key areas like student admission. In order to achieve good results consonant to the state support, universities are directed to ensure strict scrutiny of those they admit. This locks out many qualifying students from accessing studies at state-funded institutions. This study uses the perspective of agency theory to assess the impact of state – public university contractual relationship on student’s accessibility rights. The interpretive phenomenological analysis enabled to appreciate data collected through self-administered questions given to seven participants in four public and regional universities. The analysis bases on parameters of selection and admission. The study recommends capital grant, national ranking of academic units, and policy imperatives for special interest groups as the means by which sub-Saharan higher education institutions can maximise students’ access rights