Characterizing the Quality of Educational Services Among Local Colleges Towards ASEAN Integration David Cababaro Bueno, MS, MPM,MBA,Ed,D., DBAc Dean, Graduate School and Director, Research and Publications Columban College, Inc. Olongapo City, Philippines 2200 docdave30@yahoo.com / docdave3090@gmail.com
Abstract— In today's competitive academic environment where students have many
options available to them, factors that enable educational institutions to attract and retain students should be seriously studied. The purpose of this study was to analyze the factors contributory to the graduating students’ satisfaction studying in local colleges based on various dimensions. The researcher employed the descriptive-survey method of research. Primary data were collected using standardized closed-structured-questionnaire and documentary analysis. The data were statistically treated using Percentage, Mean and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The graduating students were satisfied on various dimensions quality educational services of local colleges. Local College 3 got the highest rating on reputation due to its accreditation status by external accrediting agency. There were no significant variations found in relation to the degree of satisfaction of graduating students across local colleges relative to various dimensions of service quality such as nonacademic aspects, academic aspects, design, delivery and assessment, group size, program issues, and access. However, significant variations were found in relations to reputation as dimension of quality. It is important for the local colleges to work continuously towards ensuring that the service provided really exceed the expectation of students thereby increasing their market share towards ASEAN integration. Keywords—Educational quality, local colleges, educational services, ASEAN integration, descriptive-survey method, Olongapo City, Philippines
INTRODUCTION In today's competitive academic environment where students have many options available to them, factors that enable educational institutions to attract and retain students should be seriously studied. Higher education institutions, which want to gain competitive edge in the future, may need to begin searching for effective and creative ways to attract, retain and foster stronger relationships with students. As a public organization, it has to depend on the interaction and mechanism of the market. As a result, competition to woo as many students as possible or so-called “potential customer” may become more and more intense. Continuous quality improvement is a philosophy. Within this philosophy is a set of broad principles and values that provide guidance on how to restructure and improve organizations.