Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Institutional Support Policy Interventions for Online Learning in HEIs in Kenya

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a swift transition to online education in Kenyan Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), highlighting considerable deficiencies in institutional support. This research assessed the impact of various institutional policy interventions, such as equity, capacity building, emotional and psychosocial support, scalability and adaptability, and data-driven decision-making, on online learning outcomes. It is posited that these institutional supports would have a substantial effect on the effectiveness of online learning programs. Responses from 50 higher education institutions (HEIs) highlighted several critical challenges encountered in online learning. These challenges included difficulties in maintaining student engagement, financial constraints in supporting online initiatives, integrity issues in online assessments, and disparities in access to reliable internet and technological infrastructure. The experiences of institutions varied significantly, reflecting an uneven level of readiness across the sector.

Regression analysis indicated that institutional support policies collectively accounted for 30.0% of the variance in online learning outcomes (R² = 0.30, p = 0.006). Among these policies, Scalability and Adaptability Policies (β = 0.578, p = 0.009) and Equity-Oriented Policies (β = 0.382, p = 0.016) were significant positive predictors of success in online learning. In contrast, Data-Driven Decision-Making Policies (β = -0.442, p = 0.047) were significant negative predictors, suggesting that current practices related to data may not be effectively aligned with enhancing learning quality. Capacity Building and Emotional and Psychosocial Support policies, though important in practice, did not significantly predict online learning outcomes.

The study recommends that HEIs in Kenya prioritize equity initiatives, invest in scalable and flexible online platforms, and critically reassess their use of data analytics to ensure alignment with learning improvement goals. Furthermore, strategies to enhance student engagement, address financial barriers, and strengthen digital infrastructure are essential to build resilient, inclusive, and sustainable online education systems for the future.