Formas de envolvimento dos estudantes na tomada de decisões nas instituições de ensino superior: estudo de caso da Universidade São Tomas de Moçambique (USTM) no ano 2018

Abstract

This research is about the level of student involvement in decision-making in higher education institutions, a case study of São Tomas de Moçambique University (USTM) in 2018. The study was guided by the following specific objectives: to identify the staff involved in decision making at USTM; to describe the decision making process at USTM; to indicate the level of student involvement in decision making at USTM; to list the merits and demerits of involving students in decision making at USTM. For data collection, questionnaires, interviews and observations were used. Data were collected from students, lectures and board members from four faculties. To select respondents, intentional sampling was used. Statistical research methods were used to organize, summarize and analyze the data collected to draw the conclusions. The survey results identified that the staff involved in decision-making in HEIs are the board members headed by the dean or general director, college directors and course coordinators. Rarely students are involved in decision making. Immediate decisions are usually made without prior consultation or listening meetings especially when there is an emerging problem in the institution. There are specific levels of decision making where the student can be involved. Students are never involved in drafting and revising the institution's standards such as pedagogical regulation. Students are rarely allowed to give their own strategies on how to improve discipline in the institution, but in certain cases they are allowed to present their strategies on how to improve their academic performance. HEI managers rarely dialogue with students or consult students when making certain decisions, and rarely do students have room to question or present their ideas, opinions or concerns to board members. Involving students in decision making makes them identify with joint decisions; student morale is high and authoritarian standards are reduced. Involving students in decision-making is disadvantageous as there may be a danger of exposing institutional secrets and the process may be very slow.