Curriculum relevancy and its management in mass media institutions in Uganda: a case study of Umcat School of journalism and mass communication

Abstract

The study on the mass media curriculum relevancy and its management at UMCAT School of Journalism and Mass Communication was conducted to: determine the appropriateness of mass media curriculum, analyze curriculum discourses and evaluate the relevancy of mass media curriculum of UMCAT School of Journalism and Mass Communication. It employed cross sectional survey design that involved a sample of 220 respondents, comprising students, staff of UMCAT and official from National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) selected through simple random and purposive sampling techniques; separate questionnaires were designed for each group and the data collected from them through questionnaires and interviews was analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively and the researcher got at the following findings. The appropriateness of mass media curriculum at UMCAT School of journalism and mass communication was felt due to proper curriculum management strategies in place; and course units and practical skills were under taken and implemented a by students and staff as recommended by NCHE for Mass Media Communication Diploma a warding Institutions. There were instructional media curriculum discourses used in managing curriculum deliberations for mass media communication at UMCAT School of journalism and mass communication, given the fact that planning, organization, coordination, direction, leading and staffing management indicators were good, theory and practical process was done for mass communication diploma students; curriculum of mass media communication was managed at UMCAT through teaching, course works and lecturing by lecturers, administration, NCHE and students. The mass media curriculum of UMCAT School of journalism and mass communication was relevant in that, mass media curriculum to diploma students enhanced ethical values of a journalist and the curriculum used was beneficial to diploma in mass media communication due to generation of skills and knowledge for students. It is therefore recommended that; continuous review of mass media curriculum must be done by NCDC, accreditation of technical persons who understand the course of mass media, improving on staffing levels at UMCAT and other mass media institutions.