The Role of Private Higher Education Institutions in Student Readiness for Higher Education

Abstract

This study examined the role of Private Higher Education Institutions (PHEIs) in students’ readiness for Higher Education (HE) in Addis Ababa. It attempted to identify the practices in and collaboration between Preparatory Schools (PSs) and PHEIs in producing HE-ready students. To this effect, data were collected from randomly selected 15 PHEIs, five PSs and a board member of the Private Higher Education (PHE) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Institutions’ Association through questionnaire and interview. The results show that apart from the fragmented and minor efforts made by PHEIs after students joined the Higher Education (HE), the sector has a long way to go in assisting PSs to produce HE-ready students. The link between PSs and PHEIs appears missing. However, PHEI leaders believe that student readiness should be part of their institutional responsibilities and they need to collaborate with PSs to ensure that students join HE well-prepared.