Higher education in developing countries:
A case study in Sierra Leone

The study was conducted using problem-based methodology as put forward by Robinson (1993). The problem based methodology approach requires theoretical pluralism, in which the theories or actions relevant to the problem situations are investigated, evaluated, and if necessary, altered. The study described the reasons put forward by government for the need to restructure the University of Sierra Leone namely (1) to provide increased access to university education for Sierra Leone (2) to enable the universities produce the manpower to meet developmental needs of the country and (3) to promote equity in university education by allowing for the establishment of private universities. The study assumes that government intervention was due to the fact that there was a problem with university education in Sierra Leone that needed to be addressed. The study examined the Universities Bill 2004 promulgated by government as an action to resolve an education problem. The objectives were to identify the provision of increased access to university education; to identify the provision to enable the universities to produce the manpower needs to address the development needs of the country; and to identify the provision to promote equity in university education. The study then concluded by evaluating the intervention of government in restructuring university education in Sierra Leone.