EXAMINING THE INFLUENCE OF PARENT-TEACHER ASSOCIATION’S INVOLVEMENT IN BASIC SCHOOL GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT IN THE NADOWLI-KALEO DISTRICT, GHANA

Abstract

The study was undertaken to assess the contributions of Parent- Teacher Association to basic school management in basic schools in the Nadowli - Kaleo District of the Upper West Region in Ghana. The study was stimulated by the recent report from the District Education Directorate that the performance and infrastructural facilities in most basic schools are poor as a result of lack of motivation of communities to support the school management, absence of vibrant Parent- Teacher Associations to support the school management among others. In this study, mixed method approach with cross sectional design was adopted. The sample for the study was 200 parents and 28 key informants. Structured questionnaires, checklist and interview guide were used to collect data for the study. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics from SPSS version 20 and recorded voices from the field were transcribed and analysed based on themes and content. The study revealed that the association contributes towards activities at the basic level ranging from financial, provision of infrastructure and curriculum. Regarding the challenges faced in basic school management, it was found that the challenges facing Parent-Teacher Association were of varying degrees ranging from inability to acquire and manage funds, inadequate infrastructure and poor attitude of most parents towards curriculum and instruction due to high illiteracy and unawareness of roles and responsibilities. On strategies to curb these challenges, it was revealed that financial challenges can be solved when the Parent- Teacher Association has the ability to access funds from diversified sources, use of valid account to facilitate auditing and accounting processes and trained on financial acquisition and management. It was identified that the Parent-Teacher Association should be proactive enough to improvise temporal facilities such as wooden structures and pavilions, voluntary provision of accommodation to teachers by community members and philanthropists, community regulation of rents and government and non-governmental agencies’ interventions. On curriculum and instructional related activities, it was identified that creating the awareness of parents to know their roles, responsibilities and importance as Parent- Teacher Association members will facilitate their involvement in the schooling of their children. Based on the above findings, it was recommended that establishment of financial regulatory framework for managing Parent- Teacher Associations, motivating ParentTeacher Association members who are committed to school, public awareness on the roles and responsibilities of Parent- Teacher Association members and Inclusive Educational Policies Formulation should be used to solve the challenges militating against the effective involvement of P.T.A in the management and governance of basic schools in the Nadowli - Kaleo District of the Upper West Region in Ghana.