Tutors' perception of women in management positions in teacher training colleges in Ghana

Abstract

All over the world, particularly in Ghana, the percentage of women in administrative positions is lower than that of men. Out of the 38 Training colleges in Ghana, at the time of study, there were 8 female administrators who were Principals and a few Vice-Principals, Heads of Departments and Senior House mistresses. The study was conducted in 9 Teacher Training Colleges in five regions namely in the Ashanti, Central, Greater Accra, Volta, and Western of Ghana. The focus was to examine tutor's perception of female administrators in teacher training institutions, staff relationship to the female administrators, as well as the her impact on work performance. A descriptive survey using purposive sampling for investigation was employed. The sample size of respondents was 52 tutors made up of 24 females and 28 males. The main instrument was a written questionnaire. Some findings deduced from the study were, the female administrators were co-operative and involved the staff in various decisions concerning the colleges. The administrators were perceived to be good financial managers and they made available teaching materials to facilitate quality teaching. They promoted cordial communication among teaching and non _ teaching staff on campus, and involved the staff and students in communal work. It was recommended that women were to be encouraged and appointed as administrators of institutions as they served as mentors and role models to up and coming girls. It was also recommended that a further study be carried out on comparison of administrative practices of male and female administrators in training colleges.