Challenges of student accommodation at institutions of higher learning with particular reference to University of KwaZulu-Natal

Abstract

Access to higher education by the general populace in South Africa has been steadily increasing over the last decade. With this increase in access, major challenges have presented themselves that may compromise the transformational agenda for higher education in South Africa. Paramount among these challenges is the insufficient capacity of higher education institutions to accommodate students that live far from the university campuses, academic support programs to support students who had poor schooling background and academic facilities to support the growing number of students. The focus of this research was to examine the challenges associated with student accommodation. Student perceptions are very important and they are the beneficiaries of student accommodation. In total, 600 questionnaires were dispatched to students from the five campuses of University of KwaZulu-Natal and 453 were returned which gave a 75.5% response rate. The research instrument consisted of 31 items, with a level of measurement at a nominal or an ordinal level. Data obtained from the respondents included biographical data, quality of accommodation, accessibility and adequacy of accommodation, security, safety and health issues in the University accommodation. The data collected from the responses was analysed with SPSS version 24.0. The results will present the descriptive statistics in the form of graphs, cross tabulations and other figures for the quantitative data that was collected. Inferential techniques include the use of correlations and chi square test values; which are interpreted using the p-values. The study showed that accessibility to the university accommodation for residential purposes is a great challenge for many students. Other issues faced by students includes insecurity on campus, irregular security checks, inefficient and untimely manner of the quality of services rendered by the hall management. Good and efficient accommodative measures by the university is of necessity for quality academic output and hence the need for critical intervention as recommended in the study.