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Compliance in Quality Assurance in Higher Education: A Comparative Study of Public and Private Universities in Zambia.

Author(s) Dr. Colious Gondwe, Dr. Maureen Kachebele, Dr. Joseph Mate
Country Zambia
Abstract Compliance with national quality assurance (QA) regulations is critical for institutional credibility and academic excellence, yet it remains a significant challenge in many higher education systems. This study investigates the levels, drivers, and barriers of QA compliance within Zambia’s rapidly expanding tertiary sector, focusing on a comparative analysis of two public and two private universities. Employing a mixed-methods approach, including semi-structured interviews with 12 QA officers, document analysis of audit reports, and compliance audits using the Higher Education Authority’s (HEA) Learning Programme Audit Tool, the research reveals fragmented and uneven compliance. Public universities are primarily constrained by bureaucratic inertia, systemic underfunding, and staffing shortages. Private universities face challenges related to financial sustainability, transparency, and capacity-building. The findings indicate that compliance is often symbolic, driven by coercive pressure for accreditation rather than internalized quality enhancement. The study concludes that a harmonized QA culture, which balances regulatory enforcement with institutional autonomy and support, is essential. It recommends strengthening autonomous institutional QA units, implementing targeted capacity development, aligning funding with compliance incentives, and fostering collaborative dialogue between regulators and universities. This research contributes to policy discourse aimed at elevating educational quality in resource-constrained, diverse higher education landscapes.
Keywords Quality Assurance, Compliance, Higher Education, Zambia, Public Universities, Private Universities.
Field Sociology > Education
Published In Volume 7, Issue 3, March 2026
Published On 2026-03-09
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