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Abstract

Purpose: Educational environment plays a pivotal role in shaping the quality of health professionals' training. In Ethiopia, disparities in institutional resources, governance, and student support systems between public and private higher education institutions (HEIs) have raised concerns about the overall quality and equity of health science education. This study aimed to assess the status of the educational environment in selected public and private HEIs and propose targeted recommendations for its enhancement.

Methods: A comparative cross-sectional case study research design was employed. The Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) was administered to final-year undergraduate students across medicine, nursing, midwifery, and radiologic technology programs in four public and private institutions. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to compare student perceptions of their educational environment.

Results: Analysis of the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) inventory, completed by 492 students, revealed an overall mean score of 138 out of 200. The overall DREEM scores indicated a moderately positive but suboptimal educational environment across both sectors, with public institutions slightly outperforming private ones in domains such as perception of learning and academic self-perception. Key challenges identified included limited faculty development, weak institutional governance (particularly in private institutions), inadequate student support services, and insufficient teaching and learning resources.

Conclusion: Improving the educational environment in Ethiopian health science programs requires a multifaceted approach. Institutions must prioritize continuous faculty development, invest in student support services, and enhance teaching and learning infrastructure. Strengthening institutional governance and promoting evidence-based, transparent quality assurance practices are also critical to ensuring academic standards across public and private providers. These strategic reforms are essential to produce competent health professionals aligned with national healthcare priorities.

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