Needs assessment of polytechnic students in Ghana: The case of Ho Polytechnic

Abstract

The main purpose of the study was to explore the major problems faced and the support received by students studying in Ho Polytechnic in Ghana. The descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. Years 2 and 3 students ofHo Polytechnic formed the population of the study. The number of students used for the study was 300. The instrument used for the study was a questionnaire. In selecting the students the stratified sampling and the simple random sampling procedures were used. Means, standard deviation, frequencies, percentages and t-test were employed in the data analyses. The study revealed that practical and vocational-career problems were the greatest problems faced by Polytechnic students followed by personal-social problems and then educational problems. The study also found that support for students in times of difficulties came from the informal network like family members, friends and spouses and that little support was sought from the formal network like Polytechnic counsellors, chaplains and lecturers. It was, therefore, recommended among others that government enacts an Act that will recognize guidance and counselling as an essential part of activities in the polytechnics; polytechnic administration should have a good perception of guidance and counselling; the polytechnic should provide more residential and classroom accommodation; medical facilities in the polytechnic should be improved and better recreational facilities should be provided in the polytechnic to improve students interpersonal skills.