Managing a private higher education institution within the current higher regulatory context in South Africa

• Main Author: Ellis, Maria Elizabeth
• Other Authors: Steyn, G. M.
• Format: Others
• Language: en
• Published: 2012
• Subjects: Private higher education; Higher education act; Institutional management; Management structures; Quality assurance process and procedures; Policies and procedures; Higher education regulations; Council on Higher Education; Department of Higher Education; Management functions; 378.040968; Private universities and colleges > South Africa > Administration; Higher education and state > South Africa; Private universities and colleges > Law and legislation > South Africa
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10500/6033

The South Africa higher education environment has been regulated through the enactment of policies promulgated by the governments of the day since the establishment of South African higher education. Even in the early days, the higher education sector comprised both public and private higher education institutions. Since South Africa’s democratic election in 1994, the higher education environment has been altered by the current government by means of policy enactment. Limited research has been conducted on the impact of the current regulatory context on the management of a private higher education institution. Therefore, the focus of this study was to determine how a private higher education institution within the current higher regulatory context in South Africa is managed. A qualitative research methodology was used to study the phenomenon. For this purpose, a case study, an accredited and registered private higher education institution was identified and individual interviews conducted with its six managers. The study adhered to ethical principles and techniques to enhance the validity/trustworthiness of the findings. The study found that the current regulatory enactment that was initiated under the new democratic government elected in 1994 had far-reaching implications for the private higher education sector. As a consequence, management structures, policies and procedures, quality assurance processes and procedures and management functions were altered. However, some of the regulatory criteria still have an impact on the management functions as private providers still struggle for full recognition by the government. === Educational Studies === M. Ed. (Education Management)