Monitoring and evaluation approaches and performance of higher learning institutions in Namibia; case of selected institutions in Namibia

Abstract

This study sought to examine the influence of monitoring and evaluation approaches on the performance of higher learning institutions in Namibia. The study also examined the relevant approaches that would be adopted by institutions of higher learning in Namibia to improve performance. There are a few institutions of higher learning that have tried to introduce monitoring and evaluation in higher education to persuade governments to invest substantial resources in developing comprehensive M&E systems. In as much as they have tried to adopt M&E systems, there is lack of evidence that shows that institutions of higher learning in Namibia are using a specific M&E approach to measure performance. This could be the reason behind the low rating of Namibian institutions of higher learning regionally and globally. The study therefore, determined the relevant M&E approaches that could be adopted by the institutions of higher learning in Namibia to improve performance. The study is based on three objectives which seek to determine the influence of conceptual frameworks, the results based frameworks and logical frameworks on the performance of higher learning institutions in Namibia. The study is premised on the Theory of Change which uses explicit models to determine how interventions could be designed and implemented in order to achieve the intended outcomes. The study adopted an explanatory research design which is mostly adopted when investigating a research problem where they are few or no earlier studies to refer to, or rely upon to predict an outcome. The target research population was drawn from the University of Namibia and Triumphant College of 297 respective staff members from both Institutions. . A probability sampling strategy was adopted to draw a representative sample size of 126 respondents based on a simple random sampling, which is a sampling strategy that gives every element of the population an equal chance of being selected to be part of the sample. Both the secondary and primary data was collected, where the secondary data was collected from peer reviewed journals, magazines, articles, published books and internal documentation from the participating institutions of higher learning in Namibia. Primary data was collected using a structured self-administered 5 point Likert scale that was developed basing on the research objectives and the key themes that emerged from the reviewed literature. The data collection tools were emailed to sampled respondents in compliance to World Health Organisation COVID-19 research guidelines. To test the instruments validity the data collection instrument used a pilot test on 12 participants. The study also used 10% of the actual sample size which was randomly sampled from two other institutions of higher learning in Namibia using convenient sampling. The participants of the pilot testing were excluded from the main study to eliminate bias. Proper authorizations was secured from relevant bodies to conduct the study. Collected data was analysed using a descriptive analysis and inferential analysis using descriptive frequencies, percentages, measures of central tendency (Mean), and measure of dispersions (standard deviation). Furthermore, a correlational analysis which is an inferential statistical analysis was also used to measure the relationship between variables. The results were then presented using tables and figures. The findings showed that the three approaches of monitoring and evaluation positively influence the performance of higher education institutions in Namibia. The study proposes that policy makers formulate policies that encourage the compact application of monitoring and evaluation approached in higher education institutions in Namibia. Further study can be done on governing bodies such as National Council of Higher Education, Namibia Qualifications authority on the effects of monitoring and evaluation on their performance. The study also recommends further study on the influence of M&E approaches on other sectors of the country such as agriculture, tourism, fishery, just to mention a few.