Accountability and Autonomy in Higher Education Institutions: Dilemmas and Solutions

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.63345/ijre.v15.i5.3

Shalini Suryanarayan

Professor, Department of Sociology,

Hindu College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India

Abstract— The quality of teaching and educational performance in institutions of higher learning has always been a concern. In general, quality assurances in educational institutions are provided through external audit mechanisms. This practice also ensures accountability among institutions. This article explores the complex question of professional autonomy coexisting with accountability in higher education institutions. It is felt that even though at times interests of accountability overshadow the need for academic freedom, standardised accreditation and assessment measures are vital to sustain the quality and academic accountability of an institution. However, it is also required that, while accountability and transparency are important principles which academic institutions should uphold, the processes of verification and validation should not assume greater importance than the actual delivery of quality education. Perhaps it is time to explore a middle path of accountability with a measure of trust and academic freedom.

Keywords— Accountability, Accreditation, Autonomy, Education, Freedom, Quality Assurance

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