Pathways for Measures to Mitigate Staff Retention Challenges in Selected Zimbabwe’s Public and Private Universities: Retained Lecturers’ Perceptions

Abstract

The study assessed pathways for measures to mitigate staff retention challenges in purposely selected Zimbabwe’s two public and two private universities from the perceptions of Retained Lecturers. Three Retained Lecturers and one Retained Lecturer were selected using criterion sampling from the public (Cases 1 and 4) and private (Case 2) universities, respectively. One private university (Case 2) had no Retained Lecturer participant of at least five years’ experience at that station. The study generated data using open-ended interview method. Research data were analysed using NVivo data analysis software. The study found out that Retained Lecturers in public and private universities agreed that the key measures to mitigate staff retention challenges were stakeholder involvement, housing and car loans among other measures. They however differed on how sources of funds and external partners could be measures to mitigate staff retention strategies. The study concluded that provision of adequate funds and engagement of diverse strategic partners can mitigate staff retention strategies. The study recommended that the Government needs to be involved in the funding operations of private universities in the similar manner it does to private schools by paying lecturers’ salaries and giving grants and scholarships because it is the government’s duty to educate its citizens.

Keywords: Retained Lecturer, Public University, Private University, Staff Retention, Staff Retention Challenges,  Retained Lecturers’ perceptions