Factors militating against community participation in public basic schools in Sefwi-Wiawso district of the Western Region

Abstract

This study assessed the factors militating against community participation in public basic schools in Sefwi-Wiawso District of the Western Region. It specifically investigated the roles of community members, the relationship between schools and the communities, challenges to community’s participation, and ways of improving community participation in education. A descriptive survey was adopted and involved a sample size of 175 respondents made up 65 headteachers, teachers and circuit supervisors, and 110 community members. Two different sets of questionnaires were designed for the two categories of respondents, and were pilot-tested with reliability coefficients of .899 and .718 for the questionnaires for the headteachers, teachers and circuit supervisors, and community members, respectively. It emerged that there was a healthy and cordial relationship between schools and communities in the district with some engaged in the provision of communal labour and school infrastructure, attending school functions and visiting of schools. However, lack of resources, transparency, failures to implement plans/projects and poor communication were identified as the factors militating against community participation in basic school education in the Sefwi-Wiawso District. It is recommended that there is the need for mutual respect and appreciation among the stakeholders in school management. Again, school heads must be accountable and transparent to the communities in their activities especially finances.