Quality of learning facilities and learning environment: Challenges for teaching and learning in Kenya's public universities
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to report findings on the perceptions of quality of educational facilities in Kenyan public universities, and the implications for teaching/learning, and the learning environment.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopted an exploratory descriptive design. A total of 332 and 107 undergraduate students and academic staff respectively from five public universities were randomly selected to participate in the study. The questionnaire was used for data collection.
Findings
The quality of the library, online resources and lecture facilities provided by Kenyan public universities did not meet quality measures of adequacy. They were unable to support the desired educational programmes effectively and facilitate the development of learning environments that support students and teachers in achieving their goals. The facilities were the antithesis of healthy and secure facilities that can provide a stimulating/inspirational setting for the users, critical measures of quality facilities.
Research limitations/implications
The study investigated the quality of learning resources from the perspectives of students and academic staff. Other stakeholders could have given additional perspectives not reported here.
Practical implications
Perceptions of quality of facilities indicated in this study show the need for university managers to focus on the improvement of the same if the quality of learning and learning environment were to be improved.
Social implications
Kenya's public universities can only develop the right calibre of manpower to meet the country's future needs by providing physical and other facilities that promote rigorous scholarship.
Originality/value
Improvement in quality of educational facilities is important for all interested in enhancing student learning and learning environment anywhere.
Keywords
Citation
Ndirangu, M. and Udoto, M.O. (2011), "Quality of learning facilities and learning environment: Challenges for teaching and learning in Kenya's public universities", Quality Assurance in Education, Vol. 19 No. 3, pp. 208-223. https://doi.org/10.1108/09684881111158036
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2011, Emerald Group Publishing Limited