Assessment of communication practices in the administration of senior high schools in the Keta municipality

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the communication practices in the administration of senior high schools (SHSs) in the Keta Municipality. A descriptive survey involving the use of questionnaires was employed to solicit information from students, staff and headmasters of the schools. A questionnaire was designed to find out the communication tools used mostly in the administration of SHSs in the Keta Municipality. It sought to find out how subordinates (staff and students) communicate with the head; the perceptions of staff and students about the communication practices of the head; challenges faced in communication (among the students, staff and head) and finally the effectiveness of communication tools used. In all, 248 respondents took part in the study which was made up of 80 student representative council (SRC) members, 160 staff and 8 heads. The data collected were analyzed using frequency distributions and percentage counts. The study revealed four media of communication mostly used namely: staff meetings, SRC meetings, school assembly and notice board. Again, the study showed that both students and staff communicated with the head mostly through SRC and staff meetings respectively. It is also revealed that staff and students generally had good perceptions about the communication practices of the head.The study however, indicated a few challenges. Measures to be taken to improve communication in the administration of the schools for example heads being specific in giving out instructions; and avoidance of the use of too many middle men in giving out instructions had been recommended.