Abstract:
This study is on students' participation in decision-making in selected
senior high schools in the Western Region of Ghana. The researcher used
descriptive survey by way of questionnaires, which were pilot tested and modified
to ensure their validity and reliability, and explored the nature and causes of low
student participation in decision-making and its resultant effects on the teachinglearning
process as well as a congenial atmosphere for the smooth running of the
school.
The population was students, teachers and heads of the forty-three senior
high schools in the Western Region. 240 students, 60 teachers and 9 heads and
assistant heads were sampled from three senior high schools. In all, a total of 309
respondents constituted the sample size. Purposive sampling technique was used
to select three senior high schools and respondents who held leadership positions
whilst random sampling techniques were used to sample respondents who played
no leadership roles in the schools. Simple descriptive statistics involving
frequencies and percentages were used to analyze data.
The study revealed that, heads and teachers have positive perception of
students' participation in decision-making process. It was clear from the study
that student participatio'ii in decision-making enhances quality of decisions,
commitment to decisions and enhances students' feeling of belongingness. In
recommendation, participatory decision-making structures should be encouraged
in schools in order to bridge communication gaps between administration and
students. These could be done through informal consultation or introduction of
suggestion boxes.
