An Assessment of Students’ Perceptions of the Quality of Teaching in Public Universities in Uganda
the case of Makerere University
Abstract
This paper examines students’ perceptions of the quality of teaching at Makerere University. It is derived from a broader study that examined accountability and service delivery in public universities in Uganda. Specifically, this paper sought to assess students’ satisfaction with the study content and coverage, teaching methods, and lecturers’ attendance and punctuality. Being the oldest public university in Uganda, the researcher believed that Makerere University represented all other public universities in Uganda. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design and collect data from 397 students out of the total population of 13,203. The findings largely suggested that students were satisfied with the quality of teaching. In relation to course content and coverage, 68% were satisfied, 73% were satisfied with the teaching methods, while 79% were satisfied with teachers’ attendance and punctuality. However, the unsatisfied minority revealed that the study content was too theoretical, and that teaching methods were teacher centred. Students stated that some academics were usually late for lectures, and sometimes they missed lectures without communicating in time one of the reasons being that they had to seek for meals outside the university. The study recommended that to further improve quality teaching, Makerere University should admit students she can adequately provide for, hire more academics, facilitate lecturers to conduct more research, and provide tea and lunch to lecturers while at the university among others. This research carries value to education policy makers and university authorities. The findings can be used by institutions of higher learning to further improve the delivery of quality teaching and learning.
© 2017 Uganda Martyrs University. All rights reserved.
The JSSD and the individual contributions contained therein are protected under copyright by Uganda Martyrs University and the following terms and conditions apply to their use:
Photocopying: Single photocopies of single articles may be made for personal use as allowed under the Copyright Act. Permission of the copyright owner and payment of a fee is required for other photocopying, including multiple copying, copying for advertising/promotional purposes, resale and all forms of document delivery. Special rates are available for educational institutions that wish to make copies for non-profit educational use. Permissions may be sought directly from Uganda Martyrs University (P. O. Box 5498 Kampala, Uganda; Tel.: +256414690021; e-mail: editor@umu.ac.ug; Fax: +256 (0) 382 410100).
Derivative works: Subscribers may reproduce tables of contents or prepare lists of articles and abstracts for circulation within their institutions but the permission of the copyright owner is required for resale or distribution outside the institution. Permission of the copyright owner is required for all other derivative works including compilations and translations.
Electronic storage and usage: Permission of the copyright owner is required to store and use electronically any material contained in the JSSD, including any article or part of an article. Except as outlined above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of the copyright owner.
Disclaimer: Uganda Martyrs University and the Board of the JSSD make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in the Journal. However, the University makes no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness or suitability for any purpose of the content and disclaim all such representations and warranties whether express or implied to the maximum extent permitted by law. Any views expressed in this publication are the views of the authors and are not necessarily the views of the editors, Uganda Martyrs University, the School of Postgraduate Studies and Research or their partners.
Creative commons license: This journal content is publsihed under a CC-BY-NC license.
