Quality Enhancement of Intermediaries: A Study of Good Practice in Education Administration

Abstract

Highly populated countries have to cater the education to masses and hence have requirement of different education set ups. Due to economy constraints, the universities in such countries cannot own campuses of all requirements on their own; hence the programmes are run through the study centres. The study centres are already developed with required infrastructures and human resources. Maintaining quality in such situation is the big challenge. Hence universities have to develop some parameters for the measurement of quality of study centres. The parameters are based on the smooth working, delivery of the educational programmes, activities of individuals making up the institutions, motivation to counsellors, coordinators and institution owners, to improve their performance and infrastructures. The present research paper is based on investigation of documental proofs of infrastructures, human resource availability, authenticity and accountability regarding documents of the institution, previous enrolment and examination records of the study centres of the School of Continuing Education of Yashwantrao Chavhan Maharashtra (YCM) Open University, Maharashtra India. Documents and records of 67 study centres are investigated based on 15 indicators. The data collected through the documents, interviews and cross examinations is analysed. On the basis of data, the number of efficient, poor performing study centres is segregated. The problems inherent in the system are identified and suggestions proposed for the improvement in the system. This exercise proved to be beneficial for the enhancement in the services from university to the study centres and from study centres to the students, by reducing the burden of excess work for providing services to nonfunctioning study centres.