Assessing student participation in school administration in Anglican senior high school, Kumasi

Abstract

The study was prompted by an observation that student leaders of Anglican High School, Kumasi, hardly performed their prefectorial duties as expected. A sample of 300 second and third year students was randomly selected. The views of the headmaster were also sought to affirm the responses of the students. Background information on 30 selected teachers was also obtained from official records while a questionnaire made up of 24 items was used to get responses from the students. Also, an interview guide was used to interview the headmaster. There were major findings about the students’ involvement and participation in decision-making at all levels. When students participate in school decision-making they become committed to the decisions made and that does not always bring about conflict between the students and the school authorities. On the other hand active involvement may adversely affect students. It adversely affects their academic work; it robs them of their time for private studies as well as normal classes, thus increases their work load. These findings did not differ by gender. On the basis of the findings, recommendations made for practice, include proper establishment of a system to get feedback through consultations, and the need for exchange of ideas such as open forum to be regularly organized for students.