Higher education financing and equality of educational opportunities in Swaziland

Abstract

This paper constitutes a major attempt at examining financial flows within the educational system in Swaziland as well as in computing the households, relative to public contribution to unit costs in education. It found that financial resources to the education system derive from the traditional sources, that is, government, local communities and households, nongovernmental organizations, private enterprises and corporations as well as foreign aid. While the government contributes about 83 per cent of the total fund in the tertiary level, the household and families contribution is higher at the primary, secondary and high school levels. This is an indication of the fact that higher education is heavily subsidized by the government at the expense of basic education, bringing about inequality of educational opportunities within the education system. To redress the imbalance in the funding mechanism, cost-sharing or cost recovery measures are being proposed at the higher education level.

Comparative and Trend Analysis of Financial Management Practices in Southeast Asia Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)

“…When discussing about financial management practices with higher education institutions, lack of studies has been conducted. Most of the previous studies concerned only on the challenges in financing the HEIs particularly during financial crises (Akinkugbe, 2000;Kanaan, Al-Salamat & Hanania, 2011;Moladovan, Moldovan & Alexandra, 2012). Akinkugbe (2000) described financial resources in higher education institutions as depending on the traditional sources for instance from the government allocation and local communities (e.g., endowment and alumni).…”

“…Most of the previous studies concerned only on the challenges in financing the HEIs particularly during financial crises (Akinkugbe, 2000;Kanaan, Al-Salamat & Hanania, 2011;Moladovan, Moldovan & Alexandra, 2012). Akinkugbe (2000) described financial resources in higher education institutions as depending on the traditional sources for instance from the government allocation and local communities (e.g., endowment and alumni). Apart of the traditional sources, non-governmental organisations, private enterprises and corporations as well as foreign aid are also sources of additional funds available to the educational system.…”

Financial Management Practices in the European and Southeast Asia Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Are the HEIs in Parallel Lines?

“…A proper management of an institution's sources will provide quality service to ensure efficient growth and development of the institution (Nakayiwa, 2013). Based on the past academic literature on the financing aspect of the HEIs, the scant attentions are found in which the scopes are limited only at the challenges of financing the HEIs on the specific view towards the financial crisis, financial constraints and education quality (e.g., Akinkugbe, 2000;Kanaan, et al, 2011;Moladovan et al, 2012). The emphasis on the comparison and comprehension of the financial management practices in Southeast Asian and European universities given by academicians are almost next to inexistence.…”

“…The emphasis on the comparison and comprehension of the financial management practices in Southeast Asian and European universities given by academicians are almost next to inexistence. Akinkugbe (2000) viewed that financial resources in HEI were traditionally sourced by the government and local communities (e.g., endowment and alumni). Apart of the sources, non-governmental organizations, private companies and corporations as well as money in-kind were also other alternative channels available for HEIs to raise funds.…”

Factors Influencing the Private Cost of Higher Education; the Case of Sri Lanka

“…Previous studies have investigated the factors which affects the selection of university in different countries while few have explored on the Sri Lankan context. Affordability of tertiary education to people from all backgrounds prevails as an issue that confronts governments all over the world (Akinkugbe, 2000). One of the primary factors that has been highlighted in the literature is the cost of university education and its affordability.…”