Practices of cost sharing in the higher education system of Ethiopia: the challenges, retrospections and repercussions

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate cost-sharing practices in Ethiopia's higher education system (HES). To do this, the study examined a variety of cost-sharing models applied to education, how students evaluate the services provided by universities, factors influencing repayment practices, challenges encountered, and the views and perceptions of participants. To investigate this topic, a mixed methodology (QUAN-Qual) design was employed. By means of a questionnaire, information was gathered from randomly chosen graduate employees (N = 586) and woreda staff (N = 62). The heads of the Wereda revenue office and the university cost-sharing officers were interviewed. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and the results were manually integrated with qualitative data. The results showed that most of the participants were able to identify and describe the cost-sharing forms used in the Ethiopian HES. The results also showed that most respondents gave ratings to the services that universities offer their students. The results also showed that several factors, including bad record-keeping, poor follow-up, repayment willingness, the inability to collect taxes, unemployment, and a monthly salary, had impacts on repayment practice. Because they believe they cannot afford the tuition, students oppose cost-sharing. Finally, participants evaluated the rationale and objectives of cost-sharing schemes as necessary to reduce public spending, promote equity, allocate higher education costs more equitably, expand access to higher education, and improve the quality of higher education. The results show that respondents are not satisfied with the services they receive from the university and provide a list of variables that influence the repayment practices of graduate employees. The study's conclusions suggest that to improve implementation, a strict legal framework with strict accountability should be established. The study also emphasized the necessity of partner awareness-raising forums and public campaigns to ensure widespread understanding. Policymakers should revise the regulations and incorporate obligations for second- and third-degree graduates. Additionally, it called for a study of a similar nature at private universities, additional regional states, and one that included a higher proportion of graduates..