AN ASSSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT ON SCHOOL PERFORMANCE IN THE CHEREPONI EDUCATION DIRECTORATE

Abstract

Education is the bedrock of every nation's economy and the need for quality management in the educational sector, especially at the basic level for improved performance, cannot be overemphasised. As a way of identifying possible ways to improve students' performance in the Ghanaian basic schools, this study assesses the effects of total quality management on school performance in the Chereponi district. The key issues the study examines include: factors responsible for quality management in schools; impact of total quality management on school performance; and the roles that education stakeholders play in improving school performance. The study adopts descriptive survey of non-experimental research method involving the use of both qualitative and quantitative techniques in analysing views of respondents. The study also uses purposive sampling technique of non-probability for selection of respondents with questionnaire as the research instrument. The study identifies that demotion of students and suspension of teachers' salaries are the main factors school authorities always institute to ensure quality management in the Chereponi district. The study further establishes that the school PTAs play important roles in the collective management of schools to improve performance. In addition to this, is the effective supervision of teachers, monitoring of students' behaviour and the effective and efficient leadership styles of school heads as being important factors to ensuring total quality management of schools in the district. However, inadequate teachers and finances are some of the key problems hindering the smooth management of schools for effective performance in the district. It is recommended that the effective supervision of teachers and students behaviour should be intensified by school authorities to enhance quality education and efficient performance of schools in the district