Effect of Academic Staff Retention on Quality Education in Private Universities in Kenya

Abstract

In recent years, there has been an increase of students’ enrollment in private universities in Kenya. In effect, there has been a great need to recruit and retain quality academic staff. Studies reveal that it has been difficult to retain academic staff especially in private universities in specialized areas and required experience. A literature gap exists in Kenya on the effect of academic staff retention on the quality of education in private universities. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of academic staff retention on quality education in private universities in Kenya. A survey design was considered appropriate for this study. A sample of 336 respondents was used to collect data which included the Human resource managers, academic staff, and students of the selected universities. The sample was selected using purposive stratified and simple random sampling techniques. Questionnaires were used to collect the data which was analyzed by use of frequencies and percentages. The study established that academic staff retention affects quality of education in private universities in Kenya. It was concluded that academic staff retention has a significant effect on quality education without which quality would be compromised. The study recommended that private universities should formulate and implement retention policies and allocate adequate resources to curb high academic staff turnover. Key words: academic staff retention, private universities, quality of academic staff, quality education, university education.

Emotional Intelligence and Turnover Intentions among Teaching Staff in Kenya's Private Universities

“…The concept of emotional intelligence has recently gained a lot of interest and popularity among scholars and practitioners. Consequently, they have emphasized that private universities in Kenya face various challenges including, dissatisfaction among teaching staff, financial issues, low student population, stiff competition as well as leadership challenges and a high turnover of skilled employees, especially the teaching staff (Kiplangat, 2017) They stress that these universities will have to manage the retention of their teaching staff in order to ensure that the quality of education is not compromised (Mutuma & Manase, 2013;Too, Chepchieng & Ochola, 2015).…”

“…There is therefore need to curb the high staff turnover of teaching staff in Kenyan private universities. Reducing high staff turnover of these staff will enable these organisations maintain quality education given the key role they play in the economy (Mutuma & Manase 2013;Too et al, 2015). Chopra (2016) documented that Emotional Intelligence is of interest in reducing turnover intentions of employees since it solves multiple problems at the work place and in so doing creates a healthy organisation which in turn reduces employee turnover.…”

“…Chopra (2016) documented that Emotional Intelligence is of interest in reducing turnover intentions of employees since it solves multiple problems at the work place and in so doing creates a healthy organisation which in turn reduces employee turnover. Scholars have approached the subject of reducing turnover intentions of teaching staff in private universities from different perspectives and contexts Mutuma & Manase, 2013;Too, Chepchieng & Ochola, 2015).…”