ASSESSING THE CONTRIBUTION OF STAKEHOLDERS TO BASIC EDUCATION SERVICE DELIVERY IN ZONGO COMMUNITIES IN BRONG AHAFO REGION, GHANA

Abstract

Basic education service delivery in zongo communities in Ghana appears to be a forgotten area of research. These communities are often associated with slums, poor infrastructure, high illiteracy and dominance of Islamic religion. These features rather become the focus of researchers to the neglect of examining the contribution of stakeholders in these communities to basic education service delivery. This paper assesses the contribution of stakeholders in zongo communities to basic education service delivery in Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana. Data was collected from 461 respondents from seven categories of respondents in two zongo communities in Techiman and Kintampo Municipalities. Data collection techniques were mainly interviews, focus group discussions, and questionnaire. The study found among others that stakeholders in zongo communities participate in basic education service delivery, but perceived quality basic education differently, from input based (provision of school structure, TLMs, trained teachers and use of appropriate teaching methods) and outcome based (BECE results and other academic performance) perspective. They are also motivated to participate in basic education service delivery as a mark of obligation, responsibility, advocacy, and as philanthropists. The paper concludes that stakeholders play important role in delivery basic education in the zongo communities but there is poor information flow, weak coordination and poor consultation by GES and Municipal Assemblies. The paper recommends the creation of an official platform to mobilize and galvanize the support of all stakeholder in coordinated fashion to ensure effective participation in basic education service delivery.