From classroom to bureaucracy: Assessing the alignment of public administration teaching with the public service profession

Public Administration (PA) teaching aims to prepare the next generation of public sector professionals. Given its strong connection to practice, it should align with civil service requirements. Research on the relationship between PA teaching and public sector professions in Africa in general, and in Ethiopia in particular, is scarce. Using a deductive content analysis approach, this study examines the competencies required in the civil service and evaluates the relevance of PA curricula. The findings show a general but insufficient alignment. PA teaching curricula do not adequately integrate critical areas of public governance, local politico-administrative traditions, sociocultural values, the political economy of the country and the broader African context. Weak collaboration among actors further exacerbates the problem. The study calls for curricula and pedagogical reforms and a stronger collaboration among academic institutions and stakeholders. It contributes to the debate on the relevance of PA teaching by offering both theoretical and empirical insights. Points for practitioners Public governance competencies are essential for effective performance in today's public sector. Strengthening these competencies should be a priority for improving governance and ensuring societal well-being. Public Administration education programs must remain closely aligned with the real needs of the public service. Strong collaboration between public sector institutions and universities is essential to ensure graduates are well prepared for professional roles. Active involvement of practitioners in teaching and engagement of faculty in public service activities helps develop graduates with practical skills, transferable competencies, and technical expertise relevant to local contexts. This, in turn, strengthens bureaucratic capacity. Revitalizing Public Administration programs and reforming public sector job design are necessary to improve productivity, enhance professional standards, and build a more capable and professional civil service. As international accreditation bodies, NASPAA accreditation standards and UNDESA/IASIA Standards of Excellence for PA programs should include indicators in their standards that reflect the unique features of the local context across countries.