Policy Barriers to Accounting Education in Rural Economies

Abstract

Accounting education is essential for building financially literate societies, supporting entrepreneurship, and strengthening local economic systems. Yet rural economies face significant structural and policy-related barriers that hinder access to high-quality accounting education. These barriers include inadequate infrastructure, absence of trained faculty, limited government funding, poor curriculum alignment with rural economic needs, and lack of digital access. This paper examines policy constraints shaping accounting education in rural regions, evaluates their socio-economic impact, and proposes a multi-layered policy framework addressing skill gaps through public-private partnerships, digital learning ecosystems, and decentralised education governance.