An Evaluation of the Communication Strategies Used By Highier Institutions of Learning To Prevent Student Unrest: a Case Study of Evelyn Hone College of Applied Arts And Commerce

Evelyn Hone College of Applied Arts and Commerce (EHCAAC) has been facing incidents of student unrest for a long time. This report is a result of a study that was
carried out to evaluate the communication strategies used by EHCAAC to prevent
student unrest. Participant observation, in-depth interviews and quantitative survey were used for data collection. It was discovered that management communicated to students through a variety of interpersonal and mass communication channels. Students only used a variety of interpersonal communication channels. Most of the channels enabled management and students to communicate effectively. The study also found out that students faced problems related to poor management communication, inadequate accommodation, inadequate learning materials and equipment, inadequate bursaries and poor sanitation. The problems would lead to student unrest in which 46.5 per cent of the students would participate. The study established that, to prevent student unrest,management met students regularly; practised an open-door policy; orientated new students; involved students in decision-making; attended to problems promptly; and provided accurate and complete information on time. To some extent, the
communication strategies promoted mutual understanding with the students. However,
they were not effective enough to prevent student unrest. Students also took up some
quite effective steps to promote a good relationship with management. It is
recommended that management solves the problems facing the students and ensures that
all the communication channels and strategies are 100 per cent effective.