STUDENT PARTICIPAnON IN DECISION-MAKING IN SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE TANO DISTRICT OF BRONG AHAFO REGION OF GHANA

ABSTRACT

The study was prompted by an observation made by the researcher about

the apparent absence of involving students of senior secondary in the Tano

District of Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana in school decision-making. The study

explored the nature of the existing structures of decision-making and the factors

that discourage students from participating in school decision-making among

others. The population for the study was made up of students, teachers and all

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headmasters from the six senior secondary schools in the Tano District. The

sample consisted of 328 students, 66 teachers, and six headmasters from these

schools.

A set of questionnaire was prepared for each of the sampled respondents

namely, students, teachers and headmasters. Frequencies and percentages were

the main statistical tools employed for the analysis ofthe study data.

The main findings among others are the following:

1. Students participate in school decision-making through the establishment

of Students' Representative Council (SRC's). Their involvement is

however, restricted to a few decisional areas.

2. Student participation in school decision-making has a lot of benefits to

both students and school authorities.

The following recommendations are made for future practice and research;

1. It is suggested that school authorities and students should brainstorm and

assess the current level of student participation in school decision-making.

2. It is also suggested that the miture of the existing structures of decision in

the sampled schools should be restructured.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I am most grateful to my supervisor, Dr. 1. S. K. Owusu of the Institute for

Educational Planning and Administration, University of Cape Coast, who

painstakingly and diligently read through the manuscript and gave useful

sugoestions and constructive criticisms. This dissertation has been accomplished

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because ofhis patience, love and understanding.

I am also thankful to Mr. Patrick Amoateng-Mensah of the World Vision

International office at Tamale, Mr. Appiah-Baryeh, Proprietor Rabboni Redeemer

School, Wasa-Akropong, Nana Amoako ofWassa-Japa and Miss Felicia Bramson

of VRA International School, Aboadze for their untiring encouragement, support

and direction. My heartfelt thanks also go Mrs. Francisca Kusi, Nana Obeng

Kwaw II and Dr. Yaw Sarpong ofWassa-Akropong Government Hospital as well

as all the headmasters of the senior secondary schools in the Tano District for

their love and co-operation.

Finally, I thank Miss Christine Acquaye of the Sociology Department of

the University of Cape Coast and Mr. Daniel Epitey of the Computer Science

Department of Duayaw Nbvanta Secondary School most sincerely for taking

great pains to type this work. I wish to submit, most sincerely, that I take full

responsibility for any shortcoming in this work.