INFLUENCE OF INTERNATIONAL STANDARDIZATION FOR ORGANIZATION (ISO 9001:2008) STANDARDS ON TEACHING AND LEARNING PROCEDURES AND PROCESSES IN SELECTED PUBLIC AND PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES IN KENYA

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of International Organization for Standardization (ISO 9001:2008) standards on teaching and learning procedures and processes in the selected public and private universities in Kenya. The study was guided by the following research questions: How does ISO influence generation of teaching and learning procedures and processes in sampled universities in Kenya? To what extent does ISO certification influence the implementation of teaching and learning procedures and processes? How does ISO influence the resources and the overall quality of infrastructure in teaching and learning processes? What challenges face the ISO certification in teaching and learning procedures and processes? What strategies are and could be in place to address these challenges? The study employed stratified and simple random sampling techniques to get 372 final year full time undergraduate students and 56 full time lecturers from the schools of education. Purposeful sampling was used to select 3 universities for the study, 3 Directorate of Quality Assurance, 3 Heads of Departments and one officer from Kenya Bureau of Standards. The study employed mixed method design (Concurrent Triangulation) which enabled utilization of both quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitative data were collected by the use of closed and open-ended questionnaires while qualitative data by face to face interview and observation guides. The instruments for data collection were validated by peer review and the experts. The researcher reported qualitative data largely by using detailed descriptions that included direct quotations. The study found that the selected ISO certified universities had documented most of the procedures in teaching and learning processes such as recruitment of lecturers and student admissions, setting, and marking of examinations, procedures on complaints and compliments and requisition for resources. The study found that universities had resources such as libraries, internet, computer labs and projectors among others. The main challenges found were large classes, student leadership, meeting ISO requirements and inadequate funding for research. The study recommends construction of more lecture halls to ease congestion in public universities and coming up with sustainable mechanisms for financing university operations and continuous training on ISO Quality Management System.