Mission statement and management of private tertiary religious institutions in Eastern and Southern Africa

Abstract

The region of Eastern and Southern Africa has recently experienced an unprecedented development of private tertiary institutions. Most of these institutions are established by religious organisations which, since the inception of education, have been involved in operating educational institutions of lower levels. Although referred to as private institutions, which by definition would imply funding other than the government sources, these private institutions find themselves, at times requesting the government to fund their development as well as their operations. This study sought to investigate if these private religious institutions have unique raison d'etre expressed in the form of mission statements. The study also investigated the nature of their management and the management structures in practice. The literature reviewed indicated that private religious institutions have a unique mission based on their basic concept of education and their world view. They seek to pursue and inculcate specific values. Operating in a competitive environment, however, in which their competitors do receive funding from the government makes the private institutions vulnerable to hardships. The study was conducted using qualitative research approach in three countries, namely Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe; involving all degree granting recognised private religious institutions in the sample and focussing on the management. The respondents were chosen by elite purposive and snowball sampling. The main data collection method was the interview. However, document analysis, observations, and a questionnaire were also used. The findings from the data indicate that private religious institutions have unique missions although they are, at times, not expressed in the form of mission statements. As a result some of the stakeholders, including those involved in management, don't get to know what their institutions' missions are. The study concludes by emphasising the development of clear mission statements involving the stakeholders in the process and having the mission statements widely disseminated. It is also recommended that training in management is important for the managers of the institutions at the various levels. A model of management is proposed for streamlining the management of the institutions considering the requirements of the national governments as well as those of the religious proprietors.