Analysis of SWOT and Challenges of Monitoring and Evaluation Instruments for Quality Assurance at the Gambia College

Ebrima Fatajo & Banna Sawaneh

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Abstract

The paper examined strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) as a strategic management tool in the maintenance and implementation of quality assurance in The Gambia College where quality assurance is a new philosophy. Also, it examined the challenges, constraints and limitations of quality assurance implementation at The Gambia College. The study applied a purposive sampling technique in selecting 12 participants from the senior management of The Gambia College whose roles are connected to academic quality management system. Data were generated through an in-depth interview with the respondents which was facilitated by the use of a standard interview schedule to guide the process. A checklist was also developed to determine the availability of quality assurance instruments, processes and documents which are required by The Gambia College Quality Assurance Policy (2018). In addition, policy documents were reviewed to collect relevant information for this research. The findings indicated that SWOT is an important management tool particularly in quality assurance, however, no evidence of its use or the technical knowledge of its concepts, theories and models in The College could be proved by the study. The results of the study established that it remains an irrefutable rhetoric to understand that the limited technical knowledge of the concepts and theories of SWOT present a major challenge to the implementation and maintenance of quality assurance instruments at The Gambia College. Where such a rhetoric is not mitigated in practical terms, the institution will find it difficult to maintain integrity and credibility in academic quality performance.

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