Stakeholders' perception of the effects of rumours on management of senior high schools in Cape Coast metropolis

Abstract

The study focused on the stakeholders' perception on the effect of rumours on the management of Senior High Schools in the Cape Coast metropolis of the Central Region of Ghana. These stakeholders included Heads of Institutions, Assistant Heads/Tutors and students selected from ten different schools in the Cape Coast Metropolis. A descriptive survey method was adopted for the research. A questionnaire was developed by the researcher to solicit information from 10 Heads of Institutions, 60 Assistant Heads/Tutors and 250 students. The results of the study showed that rumours are frequently occurrmg m schools and have adverse effects on school management. The research also revealed that all stakeholders shared the same opinions as to the major causes of rumours in Senior High Schools. Part of the study also revealed that poor communication has bad effect on school management and for proper control of schools the study identified some ways of managing rumours in schools. In view of the findings management should be made to define clearly and appreciate the effects of rumours on school administration. Again management should make frantic efforts to improve on communications in schools and create an environment where information flows freely. Finally, stakeholders from the study should be looking for new ways of managing rumours because of its adverse effect on performance in schools. With very little scholarly work in the area of rumours, findings from the study have far-reaching consequences for proper management of schools.