Distance Higher Education in Ethiopia: Quality of Public versus Private

This study was undertaken to examine whether there is a significant difference between the quality of public and private distance higher education institutions (DHEIs) in Ethiopia as perceived by the key internal stakeholders (students and tutors). Six quality assurance criteria standards of DHE programs were used in comparing the two types of universities. Four sample universities which provide distance education program (two from each) were randomly selected from both public and private universities. A mixed research method was used. Descriptive and inferential data analysis techniques (percentage, mean, independent sample t-test, and chi-square test) were employed to analyze the quantitative data. Qualitative data were also used to triangulate data gathered through quantitative means. The study concluded that quality variation depends less on the type of distance education (DE) providers (public versus private university) and more on the competency and commitment of the staff and management of each higher education institution to implement the DE program.