Student participation in decision-making in senior secondary schools in the Tano district of Brong Ahafo regions 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 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 of the 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 nature of the existing structures of decision in the sampled schools should be restructured.