How do professional bodies perceive education and educational issues?
The professional bodies see as paramount their focus on professional education. They can be very influential in relation to particular issues, especially where highly specialised or technical knowledge is required (Marshall, 1995). The quality of graduates from the universities has a direct effect on the quality of the profession. Professional bodies exert the greatest pressure through course accreditation processes and, left unfettered, will result in furthering narrowing of course subject material. Professional bodies will often take a narrow, professional related view on issues that may well be different in emphasis and direction than employers (Watts, 1994). It is important then that course accreditation programmes be a balance between professional requirements, employer perceptions and academic realities. Professional bodies often take a parochial view to education. If there is any doubt on this point peruse submissions from professional bodies on educational matters. Many of the
