An investigation of institutional, environmental and individual factors influencing the students’ enrolment in private higher learning institutions in Rwanda

Abstract

Different reports by the Ministry of Education in Rwanda show that there has been decrease of students’ enrolment in private higher learning institutions in Rwanda since 2014-2015 academic year. Therefore, this problem prompted the researcher’s interest in conducting the study with the purpose of investigating factors influencing students’ enrolment in private higher learning institutions in Rwanda. Three specific objectives formed the basis of the study: to examine the influence of institutional factors on students’ enrolment in private higher learning institutions in Rwanda; to determine the influence of environmental factors on students’ enrolment in private higher learning institutions in Rwanda, to establish the influence of individual factors on students’ enrolment in private higher learning institutions in Rwanda and to find out strategies to boost the students’ enrolment in private higher learning institutions in Rwanda. The study adopted the convergent parallel design (mixed approach). The study used the Perna’s model of college choice as the guiding theoretical framework. The study was carried out in 5 selected private higher learning institutions working in Rwanda which were selected using systematic sampling technique. The population of the study counted 12615 subjects from which a sample of 398 subjects (388 undergraduate students, 5 academic registrars and 5 marketing officers) was selected. The sample size was determined using Yamane’s formula. Stratified and census sampling techniques were used in selecting the involved participants. The data was collected using a structured questionnaire, interview guide and document review guide. The validity of the instruments was verified by using expert judgement technique. The reliability was verified using pilot study along with Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficient. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (correlational and regression analysis). Thematic analysis approach was used in analysing qualitative data. The findings revealed that institutional factors have a positive and significant influence on students’ enrolment in private higher learning institutions in Rwanda. It was found that environmental factors have a positive and significant influence on students’ enrolment in private higher learning institutions in Rwanda. It was also found that individual factors have a negative but significant influence on students’ enrolment in the same institutions. The final model for students’ enrolment in private higher learning institutions in Rwanda indicated that environmental factors have the highest influence, followed by institutional factors while individual factors have the least and very low influence on students’ enrolment. The final model for students’ enrolment revealed 9 prominent factors that have the highest influence on students’ decision to enroll in private higher learning institutions in Rwanda. These include: (1) Financial capacity of parents/relatives/spouse, (2) good location of the university,(3) parents’/relatives’/spouse’s great expectations towards the university, (4) more chances by the graduates from the university to get suitable jobs, (5) the university’s job offers to its graduates with better performance, (6) advice from parents/relatives/spouse, (7) high reputation of the university, (8) good service delivery, and (9) flexible and marketable programs. The study recommended that private universities in Rwanda should always strive for offering good services and quality education to students. The study also recommended that the Government of Rwanda should empower private higher learning institutions by providing them with financial support for their capacity building.