Challenges that heads face in the administration of basic private schools in Ablekuma South, Accra

Abstract

This study sought to find out the challenges facing administrators of basic private schools in Ghana and identify administrative strategies of responding positively to such challenges. It specifically identified challenges faced in the administration and management of basic private schools in areas of managing: people, learning resources, finance and school-community relationship, the strategies that administrators used in handling these challenges, and the various forms of support given by Government and community to private basic schools in the country.The study was descriptive in nature and involved 92 respondents made-up of 27 headteachers and 65 teachers. Two sets of structured questionnaires were developed for the study. Data gathered were analysed using the SPSS (version 17.0) and Microsoft Office Excel (2007). Frequencies, simple percentages and graphs were used to present data gathered.It emerged that the main challenges of staff retention were personal development, poor remuneration and job security. Also, all Grade C and few Grade B schools had problems in getting pupils for admissions. Payment of School fees was identified as the most significant source of funds to the basic private schools.It was recommended that public-private partnership would significantly reduce many of these challenges, and result in the provision of effective and efficient quality teaching and learning for pupils in these basic private schools.